Both the name for the tattoo shop as well as the reality show on TLC, Miami Ink is a prime catalyst for the mainstream direction the tattoo industry is heading. The shop is co-owned by Ami James and Chris Nunez, and featured artists working at the shop include Chris Garver, Darren Brass, Yoji Harada and Kat Von D.
Miami Ink is a huge success as both a television show and tattoo shop mainly because every tattoo enthusiast has a unique story behind the ink they are looking to get. The show takes the viewer deep into the history and process of body art, exposing the culture to those who normally wouldn’t be interested in tattoos.
Kat Von D of Miami Ink
Located at 1344 Washington Ave. Miami, the show has sparked the interest of thousands of people all across the US. More people than ever want to get ink done, and they’re not just looking for a little butterfly on their lower back. People are taking body art to another level looking for full sleeves and full back pieces, looking for originality and new, unique styles.
The shop has opened a gateway into the tattoo industry, bringing the average person with no tattoos an open interest into the industry.
On the other hand, Miami Ink gives the viewer the impression that anyone can just walk into their shop and get tattooed. The show portrays people coming in, few cars on the street, and a nice, open atmosphere. In reality, hundreds of people wait months to get tattooed at the prestigious street shop, and only few are accepted throughout thousands of applications.
Why would anyone put themselves through that, when they can find just as great an artist, maybe even a better artist somewhere local where the wait and price will not be nearly as high?
Commercialization is the answer. Viewers see it on television and they want it for themselves.
The bottom line is this: if every talented tattoo artist had a reality show about the shop they worked in, more people would be able to see that just because a shop is portrayed on television doesn’t mean they’re the best.
It just means that shop is the only one they’ve been exposed to.
