Arts Film Festival

To complement our special exhibition VMFA will present the only major Tattoo Arts and Film Festival in Virginia. Honoring the rich history and tradition of tattooing and its enduring and evolving impact on contemporary visual culture, the two-day festival will include feature films plus a session exploring Japanese anime, talks by world-renowned experts, gallery tours, and more.

Schedule of Events

Film: Eastern Promises (2007, 100 min, rated R)
Fri, Sep 4, 3 – 5 pm, Leslie Cheek Theater
Cost: $8 (VMFA members $5)
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Viggo Mortensen was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Nikolai, a shrewd criminal trying to rise in London’s Vory v Zakone Russian Mafia, where tattoos are earned for status and respect. A nurse (Naomi Watts) becomes tenuously intertwined in this sinister underworld. Veteran director David Cronenberg, noted for his edgy, visceral images, delivers.

Tattoo-themed Tours with VMFA Docents (30 min)
Fri, Sep 4, 5 & 6 pm, Permanent collection galleries
Cost: Free, no tickets required

Fri, Sep 4, 6 – 8 pm, Marble Hall
Cost: Free, no tickets required
Secretly Y’all, an organization committed to bringing people together through storytelling, will present a selection of tattoo-themed stories from audience participants. From heart-warming episodes to comedic gems, a Secretly Y’all experience is unique and not to be missed.

Film: Tattoo Nation: The True Story of the Ink Revolution (2013, 86 min. Not rated; content may not be suitable for children.)
Fri, Sep 4, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, Leslie Cheek Theater
Cost: $8 (VMFA members $5)
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Special guest speakers: Takahiro Ryudaibori (formerly Horitaka) Kitamura, exhibition artist, tattooer, and curator; and Timothy Hoyer, exhibition artist and tattooer

How did tattoos go from being something that someone puts on you to something that comes from within you? This groundbreaking documentary, screening for the first time in Central Virginia, tells the story of how three artists from one L.A. tattoo shop revolutionized the art of tattooing. With Don “Ed” Hardy, Freddy Negrete, Travis Barker, and Danny Trejo.

Film: Utamaro and His Five Women ウタマロ を めぐる 五人 の 女 (1946, 91 min, B&W. Not rated; mature content.)
Sat, Sep 5, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Leslie Cheek Theater
Cost: $8 (VMFA members $5)
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Special guest speaker: Takahiro Ryudaibori (formerly Horitaka) Kitamura, exhibition artist, tattooer, and curator

This Japanese classic is a fictionalized portrait of the famed 18th-century Ukiyo-e artist Utamaro and his relationship with five courtesans who inspire his work. Artists of all types will connect to director Kenji Mizoguchi’s study of passion and determination. In a highly evocative scene, Utamaro sketches a picture on the back of his beautiful model who is honored to have it tattooed into her skin.

Performance: River City Taiko Drummers
Sat, Sep 5, 1:15 – 2 pm, Atrium
Cost: Free, no tickets required
Performance followed by visitor participation.

Experience the Japanese tradition of taiko drumming that dates back to the 6th century with the River City Taiko Drummers. The evolution of this percussion can be traced throughout history—from the battlefield to the theater and to religious ceremonies. Come learn how taiko is used today with Alasdair Denvil of the University of Richmond and his community ensemble. After the performance, take advantage of the rare opportunity to play the different drums yourself!

Gallery Talk with Tattoo Artists
Sat, Sep 5, 1:30 – 2:15 pm, Japanese Tattoo exhibition
For Festival Pass holders only

Join Takahiro Ryudaibori (formerly Horitaka) Kitamura, exhibition artist, tattooer, and curator; Timothy Hoyer, exhibition artist, tattooer, and painter; and Brian Bruno, Richmond tattoo artist and owner of Absolute Tattoo for an informal gallery conversation about works in the special exhibition.

Talk/Film: Japanese Anime Tattoo Traditions (Some content may not be suitable for children.)
Sat, Sep 5, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, Leslie Cheek Theater
Cost: $8 (VMFA members $5)
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VMFA and VSU faculty specialist in animation, Anh Do, discusses technique and style of Japanese anime along with connections to manga and tattoos. Excerpts of several anime series will be shown.