The Compagnons d'Encre festival, initiated in Emmaus Scherwiller near Strasbourg on the 7th and 8th of September, brought together the cream of Alsatian tattooing. About fifteen tattoo artists came to ink in solidarity for this large scale project in collaboration with The Companions. A look back at an exceptional event that attracted the public and donations. On September 7th and 8th, Compagnons d'Encre, a very special festival was held at Emmaus Scherwiller with a complete musical programme and a roaring tattoo poster. On Saturday as the doors open, we feel the publics expectation for this event of another kind. The organization is Immaculate , all who came to participate with good will. Reynald from Asphalt Jungle Strasbourg, who arrived in support of the event, donated his old tattoo magazines, which immediately hit the mark with aficionados and collectors... While Vincent Vincent (Asphalt Jungle) will also be inducting the event, Jübs and the Contraceptik team were also in attendance. Colmar representative, Jon Pretzel from the Pretzel Tattoo Club shared his stand with Dimitri HK from St Germain en Laye. Both are added to a beautiful list of solidarity tattoo artists: Clem Kaiju, Un Sang d'Encre, Gaëtan Contraceptik, Karl Marc etc.
But what about the concept? The multi disciplinary event aimed at the charitable sale of works, artwork and other bequeathed donations, which could serve as a fund to collect an essential budget for the rehabilitation of the Scherwiller station. Later on, it would be transformed into a place of solidarity, completely self-managed by Emmaus and its members, the project is called Ethiloc and we can tell you... it will be born! From Saturday onwards, despite rainy and cold weather at the end of the summer, donations and sales are pouring in, making it possible to collect the necessary budget, notable thanks to a Sunday evening auction organised by a smart team. The restoration of the premises into equipment rental centres will be carried out by the companions: employees on integration contracts. They also helped organize this event and welcomed the collaborators and guests with fabulous energy and investment. Some even decided to get inked by the invited tattoo artists. We could have seen Jübs, Vincent Vincent or Dimitri HK on the job. A strong act through the dermograph.
So we mix here, in Emmaus, tattoo artists, companions, initiated public or hunters who know how to hunt but above all; we meet, exchange, tattoo artists and tattoos on the same footing in a good-natured atmosphere that vibrates with enthusiasm and creativity. It is by going to get yourself a small coffee that you meet the amazing and charming: Jean Claude. Roughly about 70 years old, he is known as "the Scrap Metal Worker", he tells us. His story he told it in Legionaires (army) tattooing. Shameless and a resident of Colmar prison since he was 18 years old, he asked to go to Legion to avoid prison. Thanks to parental authorization, he returned there at 21 years of age and then went on to spend 10 years from French Guiana, to Bonifacio and Madagascar... Our Jean-Claude must have a knack for it when he runs the drinks stand and serves us coffee, we are intrigued by his hands, tanned and inked.
He always has a poetry on his lips, especially when he is surrounded by women... Jean Claude, he has been with the Compagnons for 30 years, it's his family, his life after the Legion, because "if you leave, there's nothing more we can do for you"... and then the tattoo we know it, it was to mark those years. Because "there you learn the true meaning of friendship". Neither wife nor child because "rather than betray, I prefer to smile less"... Jean Claude does his first needle tattoo, with burnt rubber, pen ink. Today at Compagnons d'Encre, he will get a traditional American eagle inked by Vincent Vincent, on the back of his hand.
From Saturday we wander between the tattoo booth but also the tattoo bookstore, including Sacred Skin book which very nicely documents the Thai Sak Yant written and documented by the author Tom Vater. Jeter l'Encre Magazine, french online and paper magazine and ATC Tattoo were therefore present to cover the event. It was also possible to obtain Tattooisme books trilogy of modern tattoo art, published by journalist/writer Chris Coppola were available for sale. This trilogy, unique in the French edition, brings together the best of French and international tattooing. As for novelty, we will have seen and leafed through the very Figures Libres published by Editions Noir Méduse and written by Laure Siegel. This amazing photography book is gathering a series of photographs on Tattoo culture by Dominique Pichard with an introductory of tattooing written by journalist Laure Siegel. A retrospective of more than 10 years of Tattoo press by the photographer and the journalist. The tattoo event is an active part of a qualitative and documented tattoo, with specialized conferences and quality speakers. These two days will have been rich in learning. Photography is also very present, and we can admire the different exhibitions and photos of the French photographer Jean-Gabriel Aubert, who has been working for Tatouage Magazine for more than 10 years.
"Companions often have a past that is shown on their bodies. Many have expressed a desire to get a tattoo or cover their tattoos but have abandoned these projects because of their limited budget," says Axel Nabli. Every day, the audience and the Companions could pass under the needles of the tattoo artists while on stage the amps screamed, the noise of the machines invading Scherwiller. The sequence of activities prevents any dead time, here we have never finished making the "tour"of the place, the space is large, a real maze, arranged, where all the junk we love at Emmaüs gathers and forms a friendly space. The vintage corner, the parade, the burlesque shows, although modest for the occasion, give way to a raffle or silkscreen printing. The event is effervescent and never ceases to surprise at every nook and cranny.
f tattooing becomes a vector of solidarity, the festival's mission is to promote and empower Emmaüs' Companions, who are involved from the creative process to D-Day. Direction of the photo studio, supervision of the works, communication of the festival, stage design etc. They are the real actors of the Compagnons d'Encre festival. And nothing has failed this organization and investment, both very well established. Even with an uncertain weather, Compagnons d'Encre despite everything, the team took up the challenge to gather different personalities and universes under the same banner and it happened to be a success. Dom Pichard and Axel Nabli are already talking about a second edition, other concepts, changes, creation and reflection... We are eager to know more about it in order to rediscover this magnificent energy released between tattooing and solidarity. All are unanimous: they must repeat the experience. In other words, we are can't wait to be part of the next eidtion. It will probably sting again but always with a real heartfilling energy. Informations : www.compagnonsdencre.com
Report photo par les Compagnons :
Vidéo Report du Festival : https://youtu.be/4No0x2oyfZU
