About QRbodies Open Tattoo
What is QRbodies Open Tattoo?
QRbodies Open Tattoo is a scannable, interactive QR code tattooed on a human body in 2012. The tattoo remains fully functional even after more than a decade. The QR code, measuring 6x6 cm, is placed on the side of the left bicep of Herrich, making him the "QRbody." The tattoo was done by tattoo artist Babboo at the Hell.cz tattoo shop in Prague, Czech Republic.
The QRbodies Open Tattoo project was conceived and executed by Marie König Dudziaková as her final multimedia project for a Master’s degree in New Media Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague. Additional support was provided by Hell.cz, Eva Gurná, and Veronika Spišáková.
The Philosophy of QRbodies Open Tattoo
The Tattoo as a Dynamic Entity
Traditionally, tattoos are permanent and unchangeable once placed on the skin. However, with QRbodies Open Tattoo, the visual form remains constant in the real world, while its virtual content and meaning can be updated endlessly.
User-Generated Tattoo Content
By embedding a QR code onto a human body, the tattoo becomes a form of "wetware"—a cybernetically enhanced human body. Our interface allows anyone to log in and alter the tattoo’s content, transforming the tattooed body into a medium for someone else’s self-expression and challenging traditional notions of body ownership, privacy, and identity.
Who is the QRbody?
The QRbody refers to Zdeněk Siblík, also known as Herrich (b. 1980). As an experienced body modification enthusiast with multiple tattoos, piercings, hook suspension experiences, and transdermal deep chest implants (which were removed after 15 months due to healing complications), and as a passionate cyberpunk fan, he was the ideal candidate for this experiment.
About the QR Code
A version 1 QR code (21x21 modules) with an automatic error correction level of 7% was used for this project.
All QR codes for this project were generated using the free Kerem Erkan QR code generator, which adheres to established standards for QR code creation.
The size of the QR code tattoo was carefully calculated and tested multiple times to ensure it could withstand the natural blurring and changes in tattoo ink within the skin over time. The final size of the tattoo was determined to be 6x6 cm, which was deemed sufficient. The QR code tattoo remains scannable even after more than a decade.
The placement was chosen on a flat surface of the human body (the inner side of the upper left arm), allowing the QRbody to easily reveal and scan it. Also, it was important to choose a location with as little hair as possible to ensure optimal scanning.
The QR code was precisely tattooed by hand by artist Babboo, using a coil tattoo machine.
How Does It Work?
Through an interface on qrbodies.com/change, anyone can now modify the content displayed when the QR code tattoo is scanned.
To change the content, users must symbolically "enter the body" by logging into the interface using the username "opentattoo" and the password "opentattoo"—both clearly provided on the login page. Once logged in, they can input text, upload images (.jpg, .png, .gif), music (mp3), videos (via YouTube or Vimeo embed codes), or paste a URL.
After users submit their input, the QRbody, Herrich, receives an email notification saying, "Your body has been changed." He can then scan the QR tattoo on the side of his left bicep and view the updated content immediately.
All the history of changes to the QRbodies Open Tattoo can be viewed at qrbodies.com/history.
Contact
For more information, contact the creator of the QRbodies Open Tattoo project, Marie König Dudziaková, at dudziakova@gmail.com.
