Because I am an education major, I felt that it was necessary to do a research project on body modification for one of my classes. It has been 3 years since my last piercing (an eyebrow) and 6 years since I pierced my tongue. I decided that while I was talking to Pierre at Black Sun Studio, I would also get my nose pierced b/c it is a piercing that I have always wanted. While preparing my jewelry (choosing the piece, sterilizing, etc.) Pierre and I spoke about the many aspects of bod mod. I am fully aware that having a visible facial piercing will greatly lessen the chances of me getting hired in many schools, but it is important to me and I intend to fight for my right to enhance my own body. Pierre and I talked about the culture of piercing because this is what my research project is about. I want other future educators to know the different aspects of and reasons for piercing because we will have these students in our classrooms. I for one want to be an advocate for my students who choose to modify their bodies. So, Pierre and I are talking about all of these wonderful ways that I can be an advocate for my future students and also present my research to fellow students in my program and then other educators.
At A Glance Author ange777 Contact ange777@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Pierre Studio Black Sun Studio Location Montréal The whole time we were chatting away, I was shaking, visibly, in anticipation for my piercing. When I had my first piercing 12 years ago, I was not at all afraid that it would hurt, but for some reason, I was so worried about the pain with this one. I was not chickening out by any means, but I was aware of the implications of being pierced. I was emotionally charged because this time, I was being pierced for the right reasons. Perhaps in the past, I chose to be pierced because I wanted to be different. This time, I do not care what anybody thinks. I wanted the piercing as a symbol of beauty. I put a lot of thought into what jewelry I would have and chose several different types knowing that as soon as I saw the right one, I would know. When Pierre whipped out the emerald stone, I knew that was the one. I swear I heard it say, "me, me, me!" The emerald symbolizes truth and that is my one goal in life...to see, speak and teach the truth.
So Pierre and I kept chatting and finally it was time for my piercing. "Take a deep breath, let it out. Take another deep breath, this time when you let it out, you will feel a stick." Out comes the breath, where is the stick? "Ok, done, jewelry is in." What, where was the pain? No pain at all! Amazing. I am not sure if it was my own state of mind or Pierre's comforting presence, but that was the most amazing experience ever. I looked in the mirror and nearly cried. Wow, i am beautiful!
Pierre stuck a piece of gauze into my nose to stop the small amount of bleeding and we finished our conversation on my research. I told him that I want to show the system that being pierced is not about being a rebel, but rather about our own individuality and I am not about letting someone tell me to take out my piercing or cover it up!
I think that it is my duty as an educator to have the integrity to fight appropriately for my piercing and the right of my students to keep their piercings in the classroom.
Thank you, Pierre, for making me more beautiful and for confirming my own beliefs about the significance of body modification!
Now a little bit more about my piercing...it was done 3 days ago and is absolutely gorgeous. I have been in class for the last several days and many of my peers have not even noticed the little stud in my nose. They just kept saying, "Wow, you look really pretty today. Did you do something different with your hair." I just smile and say thank you. Then after several minutes of them doing double takes, they realize..."OMG, you got you nose pierced! Wow, that is amazing. It really is beautiful. It looks like you have had it forever." and "I can't even remember what you looked like without it, it is really perfect for you." or "Wow, that is really a part of you. You are beautiful." And my son said, "Oh, mommy, you are so pretty now!" and my husband loves it. What more could I ask for. It seems strange that a tiny piece of jewelry could make such a difference, but I feel whole and I am loving it!