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A tattoo is an indelible mark, a permanent etching of a memory or a belief onto the body. We apply this concept to stuffed animals, which are often deeply intertwined with our personal histories. Through interviews with the owners, we uncover the unique stories and memories associated with each toy—where it came from, what it has witnessed. A tattoo artist then translates these narratives into a custom embroidery design. This "tattoo" transforms the object into a physical archive of memory, bridging the gap between the intangible past and the tangible present.
In our era of mass production, objects are often seen as disposable. Stuffed animals, despite their potential for deep personal connection, are no exception. This project challenges that disposability. By stitching a unique, story-driven tattoo onto a mass-produced toy, we elevate it into a one-of-a-kind artifact. The act of tattooing is a ritual of personalization, turning a generic product into an irreplaceable treasure that reflects the owner's unique identity and history. It’s a statement against consumerism, celebrating the profound, personal value we can find even in the most common of objects.
The act of getting a tattoo involves a degree of pain—a physical experience that solidifies the bond between a person and their chosen mark. By embroidering a tattoo onto a stuffed animal, the owner vicariously shares this experience. This symbolic act of "inflicting pain" on a cherished object creates a powerful new dynamic. It fosters a sense of shared vulnerability and deepens the emotional connection, transforming the owner from a mere possessor into a true guardian. The stuffed animal is no longer just a cute companion, but a partner in a shared story of love, memory, and commitment.
This was a gift from relatives in 2022, on my first trip to South Korea, my mother's homeland, in the same year I was born. It was my first time traveling, my first time on a plane, and my first time abroad. As the first grandchild on my mother's side, my relatives went all out with this gift.
I bought this in 2004 at a Toys "R" Us in New York. I was working in New York at the time, and my son had just been born. I took him to the store to buy some baby supplies, and he reached his hand out for this stuffed animal, so I had to buy it.
I first saw this at a general store in Hiroshima in 2019 and couldn't stop thinking about it. A friend later surprised me with it as a gift. I love European culture, so the tricolor ribbon is my favorite part. I also love its fluffy fur.
Purchased in 2022 at a second-hand shop in Yamanashi. I was out hiking with a friend that day, and on the way back to Tokyo, we stopped by several local thrift stores. I found this one inside a container filled with many other stuffed animals being sold for cheap.
My parents apparently bought this in 1996 when our family went to London right after I was born. It seems they bought it as a stuffed animal that would be the same age as me. There was a service to have the year embroidered on the sole of its foot, and it says "1996."
