Orlandini Gianni

Posted on Monday, 1 March 2010 by Benny

I’m always on the hunt for artists and tattooists from different parts of the world, apart from giving you all a reference point for some of the most incredible tattooists on Earth, something that always interests me is speaking to people, particularly those from non English speaking backgrounds, it’s always a good read, and on the most part their ideas and perspectives on a lot of things seem to make a whole lot more sense than a lot of ours do.

As you read through this interview you will notice the sentence structure is a bit different to what you’re probably used to, I try to keep the editing to a minimum when i’m posting what someone else has said, purely because I want to keep it as true to what they said as I possibly can.

Despite the obvious verbal language barriers, tattooing is a universal language that transcends and surpasses all barriers, from America to Australia all the way back to Italy and everywhere in between, there are amazing tattooists and over the coming months I endeavour to bring you at least one amazing tattooist from every corner of the globe, here is Orlandini Gianni of ITALY.

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Thanks for your time man, what’s been happening?

I am honoured for the space that you have dedicated, I have just returned to my hometown after a period working out and I’m coming back serenely, in the routine working at my studio in Grosseto, the “Luxury tattoo.”

For those who don’t know, can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do?

Basically I’m a craftsman and as such I enjoy expressing myself to working on various media types, I like to occasionally vary by working on paper, wood creations as well as pieces of furniture, toys and customization of everything in my free time of anything that comes to mind . But obviously my true love remains the tattoo!!

How does a typical day in your life usually unfold?

Mornings are fairly routine. I wake up, have at least two coffees, arrive at the shop at 9.30 am. At 10.30 i’m preparing to start work. My studio is a welcoming environment, where we work by appointment but only with custom designs. We lose a lot of time with the client to explore and create with him the design for his tattoo . I do not think too much of being a “fast” tattooer .

I usually take two appointments a day, after a lunch break often very short we work around until 7.30pm, then I like to relax at home with my girlfriend and my cat.

What initially got you involved in art, and how did that lead you in to becoming a tattooist?

I’ve always drawn, since childhood. It has always been the thing I’m more involved in. I tried to attend schools of art but have not got to finish them .I was not good at school! Hahaha! .

I subsequently attended several courses of airbrushing and in a few years it has become a job.

I have worked with several brands, Heineken, Triumph, Harley Davidson it took about eight years, I began to approach the tattoo and started sitting on the right side of the chair, hahaha!

I had already seen many tattoos on me and one step after another, the work has become a hobby and hobby has become work .. I have to say I’m really happy with how that happened!

Who taught you to tattoo, and how have they had any effect on your style today?

I am a self-taught. In Italy when you’re a beginner it’s difficult to find people willing to help, determination and perseverance led me to improve. For me getting tattooed, was the only way to really see how someone worked as a professional, let us talk and maybe make us friends, every time I came home enriched with something … I think I have a lot to learn but I am happy with what I’ve done so far.

And in saying that, how have your styles evolved since you began tattooing?

My style is evolving, now I try to maintain the strong contrast and excellent read that provides the basics of traditional, although, that does not define my stuff as “traditional”,at least not all of it, as a person who is tired of always doing the same things, I try to change them, perhaps taking cues and interpreting them in ways I am unsure of.

We don’t really hear a great deal about Italian tattooists in Australia, even less so if you aren’t looking for them, what is the tattoo scene in Italy like?

In Italy the tattoo is a growing phenomenon, the Italian scene offers talented tattoo artists specializing in all kinds of genres, I have many reference points, I don’t know the realities of other countries, the news coming through the magazine or from conventions, I still say that I have enormous respect for many of my colleagues in Italy, I love the Italian scene.

I guess you could say Tattoo’s have become accepted in today’s society, possibly even expected, obviously there being more people for you to tattoo is a good thing, but do you think there is a downside to it?

Certainly now it seems like a contest to see who has more ink on their body. I think this has its good side and bad side, I think the only people who get tattooed for fashion are the ones who do not understand the true alchemy of the tattoo, do not perceive emotions seeing a drawing on the body , they see it as an accessory like a bracelet, a watch, a necklace. I do not think that this creates a damage class, but is definitely a different way of approaching this art. I think it’s still a good thing because, thanks to this now, at least in my country is a recognized profession.

How do you think certain “reality” tattoo shows on TV have effected tattooing on a broad scale?

I think these broadcasts are one of the causes of what i was saying before, I honestly have never seen this type of transmission but I can assure you that we see many, many more Mexican skulls and dragon carp, subjects which were rare here before, but because they are now showed on TV, to say, we hope to do more traditional! Hahaha!

What was the last tattoo you did?

It was on a fan and sponsor of a band called “HELLFIRE SOCIETY” . The bassist Trauma has collected many traditional pieces, yesterday we added a vampire bat in frack!! Very funny!

Greatest accomplishment as an artist/ tattooist?

No doubt as tattooist .. The word “artist” I do not dress(Lay claim to – Ben)!

No doubt you have seen some pretty fucked tattoo’s in your time, what is the worst tattoo you’ve ever seen?

Maybe I did it !!! Full chest…Fertilization of ovum..Fucking crazy!

What are your thoughts on the resurgence of traditional tattooing?

I think it is eternal, the style that manages to have the strongest relationship between quality, impact and durability, a traditional tattoo, by definition is balancing simplicity of black and remains clean and legible for the life, where you will ‘lose a tone color, increase the stretch a little but gains experience that charm that only this style manages to acquire over the years!

What was the first tattoo that you ever did?

My first tattoo was a skull, I did it on the calf of one of my best friends . I must say it was a night and really absurd! I’ve often offered to re-do it but he does not want to touch it .. It’s a reminder that we are loyal, it would be like tearing a picture! Thanks NIKO !!!!!!

Where do you find inspiration to create?

I find inspiration in everything, books, television, commercials, paintings, tattoos, toys, clothes – also the label of a can of tomato can inspire if I happen to have it in my hand at the right time!

What’s in your pockets right now?

Hahaha, good question! ALL!!!!! I’m like Mary Poppins!!

What are your views/opinions on the World and Society today?

This is a rather difficult question. I could say everything and nothing … I will say that the pace of society today leads us to live in the illusion of material happiness letting us draw attention away from true happiness. We should pause to appreciate the little things!

Name 5 things you always take with you on your travels?

Depends where i go!!!!

How much has tattooing changed since you began, and where do you see it going in the future?

I think belonging to the mass phenomenon that affects everyone, the changes are different from country to country . I am still a tattooer of the new generation, I have not lived the years as an operator in the world of tattooing when it was really “underground”.

Advice to aspiring artists/tattooists?

I recommend everyone to believe in themselves and not surrendering to produce very first disappointment. I believe that only the constant and gruelling training led to improvements, not to be influenced too much by the speeche of others, when it was understood at the beginning in all areas to visit, trade shows, conventions, exhibitions and return home with a mouth full of crap!

Orlandini Says:

I want to say that much of the credit goes to my path of my girlfriend Valeria who is also the shop manager and the soul of the shop! I would also like to thank my family for supporting me and for believing in me every time! Many thanks to all who are reading and will read what I wrote , and thank you for giving me this opportunity!