Reading Contemporary Female Body Modification as a Site of Cixous' L'ecriture Feminine

Abstract

With the exception of a few women working as carnival sideshow attractions, historically, women have been an invisible part of the body modification industry. An industry that is typically seen as male-dominated, women's contributions have only recently begun to be taken seriously. This article provides a phenomenological exploration of women's experiences with contemporary tattooing and body piercing practices. Framed by Cixous’ notion of L'ecriture Feminine, or female writing, these experiences are interpreted as significant acts of both self-expression and consumption. Situating their experiences as both modified and modifiers and their modifications as deliberate and creative acts of dressing the body within personal, professional, and social realms of perception, tattooing and body piercing are seen as female writing and a medium through which lived experience can be interpreted.