State of the Art 2006

It seems only a year ago that I got out my detective hat and swooped onto those two dare-devils of the tattoo industry, Dan Dare and Buzz Lightyear; alias Phil and Al from the State of the Art Tattoo Convention in Derby and this is what I discovered over a glass of tonic water. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a top tattoo convention and how they manage to put on an international tattoo convention, then read on…


How many artists are attending this year?
Phil: Not quite sure of actual individual artists yet Neil but we have 77 combinations of single booths booked this year which is a record for Derby. We have not reduced any space allocated to any of the booths but just managed to organise the layout of the Great Hall to its optimum. Derby is now a very established show and each year we always have more studios, vendors and trade suppliers wanting to work the show than we can accommodate, which is a shame.  We are now taking booking enquiries for 2007 on our web site - www.tattoo-2001.com because of the demand again to attend this year. Each year we try to adapt the format to encourage new talent and opportunities for all rather than exclude lesser-known artists, which hopefully is what the general public / convention goers want and should be more beneficial to the body art industry as a whole.  The problem we find is that some people seem to think that space will always be available without pre-booking.  Not so at Derby, if someone wants to work the show they really have to be in contact with us by the December of the previous year to guarantee their place.

How do you go about filling the hall with artists or do they contact you.
Al: Each year we are inundated with applications to work the show. We now take enquiries for bookings a year in advance and if you visit our web site www.tattoo-2001.com you will find an online application form for all those wishing to book a booth for next year. As well as the advance bookings, we take bookings at the show and information is always available at our information desk. We obviously do get studios that for one reason or another cannot plan a year ahead so we run a reserve list for anyone willing to step in at short notice if a vacancy occurs. Do we chase studios to attend? NO. If a studio wants to attend all they have to do is contact us, which in the vast majority of cases they do, but it needs to be as early as possible to start the application process.  We send out invitations to artists who have attended in the previous year and it is first come first served basis and it’s up to them to arrange a place.

Do you have any new ideas for this year?
Phil: Yes. Make the show better than last year Neil. It is a bit difficult to bring in big changes to a show that is as established as Derby. But we hope we have managed it this year. We have a small but up and coming tattoo magazine called Skin Deep in conjunction with Tattoo Studio Guide.com taking over one of the presentation rooms off the Concourse near the Bands Area. We hope that 2006 is going to be a big year for Skin Deep at the State of The Art - Tattoo & Body Art Festival. This is the first time Skin Deep have put together this kind of event and we at State of The Art are very pleased that they have decided to use our show as a promotional platform. The programme as we understand it will include a Digital Photography Seminar where you will be presenting a seminar in conjunction with Tattoo Studio Guide.com for those who are keen to find out how to take quality photographs of their own (and other’s) tattoos. Also a section for Fusion Art, where visitors will be able to watch the attending tattoo artists produce a fusion of art on four canvases. There is also going to be an Art Gallery, which will include a display of work by artists including Tradition 180’s Gerry Carnelly (last year’s State of The Art T-Shirt designer) and Pete McKee with his wonderful 1950’s caricatures and many others

As last year we have arranged a Pre-show show party on the Friday night and a big bonus is the special accommodation deal for all at the convention hotel (the Premier Travel Inn Derby East) with bars and hot food available until 3am in the morning (all information can be found on our web site www.tattoo-2001.com).  I think 3 days of partying is enough for anyone!

We were very pleased with the bands last year and have slightly reorganised timings and extended their time on stage (in the separate room dedicated to them), which might give us a chance to take some time out and listen to them this year.

I presume the artists pay for their booths?
Al: Yes. All artists are treated the same and we have a standard charge to all. We used to make concessions for artists who travelled long distances to come to the show, but we have now stopped providing this facility for a number of reasons: The first reason is the pure economics of running a show of this kind and ensuring that we will be around for the next year. If we can’t pay the bills the show will not be run. The second is other artists objected, (quite rightly) to overseas artist getting free stalls and then charging top prices to the punters coming through the door. Derby is an established event and we hope all in the industry and the general public want us to be around for a few more years to come and as such we all have to be realistic. You should understand this very well Neil; if the public do not buy your magazines then publication will cease with all the knock-on effects to the tattoo industry etc.

There were a few complaints about smoking in the booths. Will this change this year?
Phil: The Assembly Rooms is now a NON SMOKING venue, which will hit all public venues in the near future if not already, so those who complained about the smoky atmosphere will be happy but those that like smoking will not be so cheerful about the situation. To be fair we have had only one complaint about the no smoking ruling and about half a dozen artists stating they are pleased about the new working environment. We also have had complaints from artists that some members of the public place drinks, food etc. on their stalls on top of flash portfolios etc. What do we do about this is your next question Neil? Not sure at the moment is the answer. If we ban food and drinks from the Great Hall then we upset the public and a lot of artists who want to drink water etc. in their booth. Maybe the real answer is that all who attend this event should have greater respect for each other and for those working at Derby, or are we being too idealistic?

What is the size of the SOTA team?
Al: Our team for the show is brought together from different parts within the group plus Fred who just loves working the show. We normally run with thirteen in the SOTA team plus a Security Company and Assembly Room Staff that are on contract. All in all I guess the total workforce on each day is about thirty people. Most of them have worked Derby many times.

How do you get paid for putting on the show?
Al:  Interesting question, how do you get paid Neil? I suggest it is the same way as we do. We live on the back of the previous year’s work/event. To cover our outgoings we need people through the door, just as you need people to buy your magazines to cover the publication costs and pay the wages. It is as simple as that. The previous years show needs to work as an advert for the next year and so on.  I can ensure you that you would not run a show of this kind just for profit.

You have been doing this for a few years now and the UK convention scene has increased. How do you see conventions evolving in the future?
Al: As we have stated before we are sure the Environmental Health Departments will demand higher standards as each year comes along. I’ve heard a few rumours regarding changes in Scotland and if incorporated onto the English scene would create a base cost increase of just over £6,000 to run our show. Now we could probably spread out that additional cost considering the size of our event, but to try and do the same with a proportional figure over a smaller show would be very difficult to achieve without dramatically increasing stall/booth/ticket costs.

The current number of shows cannot survive and as you know a large UK convention has already disappeared from this year’s calendar. I believe one of the factors was that it was very tough getting people through the door with all the additional shows appearing each year. Running these events is not a part-time happening and does not come cheap. So those that moan about shows should think very carefully before they spout forth great wisdom of how conventions should be run! That show might not be there the next year for them to moan about!

So in answer to your question I do not see them evolving at this current point in time and not until the whole UK Convention scene settles down. There is only really enough business for say four reasonable size shows per year and only then will the organisers of these events be able to provide radical changes and inclusions to their respective shows. There is no glory in bankruptcy! 
Do you feel Mantra’s abstinence in putting on a show this year is due to the rise in the amount of shows being hosted this year?
Phil:This may only be one of the factors but with so many shows on now, if you do not get enough people through the doors you cannot pay the bills. Mantra was a very good show, different to ours which allowed two events of their size to coexist easily together. Although I think it was a mistake pitching their show date so close to ours and obviously in a lot of cases prohibited the public from attending both shows on the consecutive weekends.

I get the impression having worked with both of you for the last three years that you both are mainly involved with the organisation of the show. Do you get a chance to meet and see the work that is produced over the weekend.
Phil: Not really Neil and neither of us are competently qualified to comment. Every now and then a tattoo catches your eye e.g. Amanda Sissons of Tattoo UK who produced a marvellous floral rose design on a young lady’s back during the 2004 show. But that is the exception as we all spend most of the weekend running around trying to meet the needs of others and trying to ensure the smooth running of the show.

Do you feel that the quality of work is getting better?
Phil: Let’s put it this way; we are becoming more aware of what is valued and what is not.  Some of the work completed is astounding to our novice eyes but we both should really take some time out learn more about how an artist works. To be fair we are nervous about stating what is good and what is not, as with all art it is normally an individual’s choice and preference; “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I am sure you are fully aware of the dangers of judging the quality of tattoos Neil. Surely the most important aspect is that the owner of the tattoo is happy with their art; that’s the ultimate judge.

What are your thoughts on tattooing becoming more socially acceptable these days such as some of the royals getting ink?
Phil/Al: We both come from garrison town backgrounds so tattoos are not new to either of us. There are many reasons why people get tattoos and once again it is an individual’s choice. The fact the Royals are getting tattoos has little or no consequence as they are only a very small sample with little influence on today’s society.  Maybe it shows that people nowadays are more confident in themselves, on what they want and have their own opinion on what is socially acceptable, and will make their own minds up especially when their own body is concerned.

Do you feel the interest in body art has increased your ticket sales?
Phil/Al: No. Marketing increases sales. What you have is a hard core of convention goers that come to these show because they know about them, enjoy them and meet up with friends. The vast majority of the people you are talking about are interested in one or two tattoos and do not read magazines like Skin Deep and are therefore not aware of shows such as Derby, more the shame. I think the trouble with the tattoo industry is that it is very insular. If you were to ask average ‘two tattooed Joe’ in the street they would probably know little or nothing about tattoo\body art shows\conventions.

I believe that there isn’t a piercing seminar this year, any reason for this?
Al: No other reason than the ASPP (Association for Safe and Professional Piercing) wanted to try another venue in another location. If they ever wanted to return we would be pleased to see them. We are looking at running a couple of courses this year supported by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).  Watch this space…

You have one of the largest collection of alternative trade stalls seen at any convention. Is there any censorship of the traders products?
Al: We would exclude any trader, vendor or artist selling drug related items. If such items or illegal goods were found we would ensure that the process stopped as soon as we found out. I cannot think of any other aspect of product censorship as you call it. 
I presume you have a long list of prospective traders wanting to work the show?
Phil: Yes it is nice to be in the position to be able to fill the venue with traders and artists in advance but this does give all a chance to prepare properly and provide hopefully a better ‘feel good feeling’ to the general public and trade that attend over the weekend. In addition to traders, vendors and artists applying this year we have been inundated with email requests from bands that want to appear at Derby. A really satisfying reaction from the music industry considering it has been unsolicited. Maybe Derby is gaining recognition in new areas.  There will be a chance for any bands that haven’t made it to the Derby line up to play at the event; as there will be an “Open Mic” session again this year where they can just turn up and perform.

How do you go about insuring such a huge venture?  Is it a big issue or is it quite straight forward?
Al: Getting insurance is relatively easy if you know the companies to use and have the track record we now have but paying the bill upfront is not! We have to pay all our bills in advance to keep the cost down. The more cover an organiser wants the more it is going to cost, it’s the same with any insurance the only difference is our bill is bigger than most!

Most of the artists bring their own equipment so do you have to insure this separately or is the onus on the artist?
Al: The responsibility of all working attendees is to ensure that they carry their own indemnity insurance as well as equipment insurance.

Do you have plans on moving the dates next years or are you staying at this weekend for next year?
Phil: Having made the mistake of clashing with Portsmouth on the Sunday, we have been trying to negotiate a change of date (in July) with Derby Council (the venue owners), but have a problem as most weekends are pre-booked 18 months in advance and in some cases have a yearly roll-on contract. We have been trying hard to sort the situation out but these decisions are not always in our hands. We read a comment recently from an artist complaining about our clash with Portsmouth, which started with ‘when will convention organisers get their act together to keep their conventions apart?’ Easily said but not quite so easily achieved when you are gambling with the monies required to run a show the size of Derby. We have been told by a lot of traders that the weekend we currently use fits nicely into their work programmes. So you see we are dammed if do move our dates and dammed if we don’t! Watch this space for news of the dates for State of The Art 2007.

Do you get any problems with the public?
Phil: Not so far Neil but I hesitate to say never. The vast majority of attendees are very well behaved, as they should be; it is a family weekend, but if a situation was to get out of hand we employ a security company present throughout the weekend who, I am sure, would diplomatically sort any problems out. Oh yes, I must mention that we do allow accompanied children under the age of 15 into the show for free, but they must remain supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.

Why Derby as a venue?
Al: Derby is obviously very central to most parts of the UK and Ireland. Transportation whether it be rail, airports or road are pretty good. The actual venue, although has its problems with loading bays and parking in general, works very well so all in all we can’t complain to much. The centre of Derby where the Assembly Rooms are located is surrounded by bars, restaurants, shops and hotels. When anyone visits our show they can easily take time out during the day to get a change of environment and still be entertained. Once you’ve got your entry ticket for the show it is valid for the whole day or weekend so you can come and go from the Assembly Rooms as you please, and hopefully enjoy yourself to the max taking advantage of all Derby has to offer and at the same time enjoying a great tattoo and body art show!

State of the Art Tattoo Convention
15th-16th July, 
Derby Assembly Rooms
www.tattoo-2001.com