By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Showcasing the best of body art and celebrating tattoo artistry, Tattoo Week Rio will return for its 3rd edition on Friday, January 16th. Featuring approximately eight hundred tattoo artists working in more than two hundred stands, the event will take place for three consecutive days at the Centro de Convenção Sul América (South America Convention Center).
In addition to great Brazilian tattooists, over fifty artists originating from twenty countries will participate in the event. However, the convention is more than a great place get a new tattoo or to see the work of some of the most talented tattoo artists from around the world. This edition of Tattoo Week Rio also will feature live graffiti painting, a freestyle skateboard championship, and a cosplay performance.
Additionally, live entertainment will be provided each day by DJs and musicians, including live performances by Matanza, Pitty and MCs Marechal, Old Dirty Bacon and Spliff Rap.
Also during this edition the popular Miss Tattoo contest returns and contests for the best tattoos in various categories will be held during each of the three days of the convention.
On January 16th, winners will be chosen for the best tattoo in the categories: black and white drawing, color drawing, calligraphy, watercolor, and best work of the day. An award will also be given for best exotic piercing and, for manufacturers, an award for best tattoo machine.
On Saturday, January 17th, winners will be announced for the best tattoo in the categories: comic/illustrative tribal, old school style, use of color, portraits, pointillism, biomechanical design and bioorganic design. Then on Sunday, January 18th, the best in new school designs, Eastern themed, Brazilian themed, best in the realist style, best of the day and best back tattoo will be announced. Additionally the best tattoo of the event will be chosen.
Each day of the event also will feature a live concert. Brazilian rock band Matanza, will perform on the 16th with the band Diabo Verde opening the show at 9PM. Performing on the 17th will be Pitty.
The well known Brazilian rocker was nominated for an MTV EMA (European Music Award) for Best Brazilian Artist of 2014 in November of last year. The band Autoramas will open for Pitty at 9PM. Then on the final day of the event, MCs Marechal, Old Dirty Bacon, Spliff Rap will perform live at 2PM.
Tattoo Week Rio first took place in 2013. Organized by Rio de Janeiro native MegaWartz and São Paulo native Klan Tattoo as a way to showcase the tattoo and body art market in Rio, the first edition was held at Pier Maua, located in the city’s Port Zone. The following year, the convention grew and the second edition was held in Barra da Tijuca’s RioCentro.
This year, growing even more in popularity and size, with more tattoo artists than previous editions and with added events featured during the convention, organizers chose the Centro de Convenção Sul América to host the convention. A two-story 5,000 square meter building, the Centro de Convenção Sul América has the capacity for up to 10,000 attendees a day. Additionally there is easy access to the venue by bus and subway lines.
For more information about the event, artists and show see the Tattoo Week Rio website.
What: Tattoo Week Rio 2015
When: January 16th, 17th, 18th
Where: Centro de Convenção Sul América (South America Convention Center), Av. Paulo de Frontin, n° 1 , Cidade Nova, Centro, RJ
Entrance: R$20 – R$40, Shows R$40-R$70