Meanwhile, on Main Street, USA

Meanwhile, on Main Street, USA, your average Joe was keeping his erotic tattoo appropriately out of sight. The penis tattooed as a barber pole, hounds chasing a fox into the anus -- these were available for viewing 'by appointment only'. As was anything located below the waist line. Now, in North America, the invisible self is becoming more and more visible. We're baring our souls on television as if it was a spectator sport, and our fashion icons have become so tattoo-friendly that the risqu� tattoo no longer poses much risk. It's likely to be poking its nose out far enough to prove that it exists.
"It's easier to think of a tattoo as sexy or erotic if it's partially visible in public," says Ohio photographer, Michael McGowan. "Sometimes, that's the game the person is playing: 'Does my tat turn you on? Does knowing I have ink make me attractive to you? Or is it a turn-off?' As a test, that's a pretty good one."