Soy mi propio pergamino

Self-calligraphy over skin. To execute calligraphy over one’s own skin is a curious experience. For one thing, one hand is having a busy time writing exacting signs over a quite irregular surface in a not-so-comfortable position. On the other hand, every stroke is deeply felt in the part of the body being calligraphed. So every character is «experienced» twice, at the same time, in two opposed «points of view», so to speak. On top of that, the eye is monitoring the whole process, adding a third point of view. Since doing good calligraphy requires a highly concentrated, focused attention, keeping one’s perception divided into three channels is an intense physical and mental experience, not easy to describe. Executed with a broad-nib, permanent marker, the effect lasts for a few days (unless you don’t take a bath) and it’s different every time. This was one of my favourite «pieces», also self-photographed with the help of a mirror. The writing reads in Spanish «Soy my propio pergamino», which translates into «I am my own parchment».