I am not a word, I am a free man!

September 28, 2004 4:33 PM

Becoming a word. Just over a year ago, Shelley Jackson launched the Skin project, which aimed to tattoo a story one word at a time onto other people. Shelley herself has the title, and here's an essay from a the. I hope the story isn't set on Anglesey.
posted by nylon (8 comments total)

What a great idea this is! I love it (but she should pay for the tatoos, and i want to see whole story--the pieces of skin? the mummys? something-- lined up 100 years from now in a museum somewhere)
posted by amberglow at 5:29 PM on September 28, 2004

I think I'd like to be part of a story. I'm going to read her stories online, and if they're good, I think I'll be part of her story.
posted by stoneegg21 at 6:16 PM on September 28, 2004

yeah but isnt the 'its not to evaaa be recooorddeddd elsewhaaare' aspect of the 'story' a little unsatistying? think bitter participants might bootleg it? bootskin it? skinleg it?
posted by c at 6:54 PM on September 28, 2004

c: Flay it.
posted by krisjohn at 10:56 PM on September 28, 2004 [1 favorite]

This is fantastic. As of 9/10/04, 1780 of 2095 participants have become words, so it looks like she will probably get the whole story created. Great idea, great post.
posted by taz at 3:24 AM on September 29, 2004

I read about this before it started, really wanted to take part but ... well, I wasn't so sure it was art (fine) and not some elaborate practical joke (not so fine).

Damn .... and to think I could have been a "the", too ...
posted by devbrain at 7:28 AM on September 29, 2004

i did sign up about 6 months ago and actually thought the project was over since i hadn't heard anything...! thanks for posting the update on it.
posted by degan at 9:05 AM on September 29, 2004

I hope the story isn't set on Anglesey.

Cue the ancient joke about the LUDO tattoo.
posted by raygirvan at 12:33 PM on September 29, 2004