Understatement as an artistic device in tattooing: between detailing and generalization

Abstract

The article examines the features of using understatement as an artistic device in contemporary tattooing in the context of the transformation of visual culture and the increasing role of interpretation in the perception of images. The relevance of the study is determined by the growing importance of visual communication, within which there is a shift from direct representation to ambiguous, open-ended forms oriented toward individual interpretation. In contemporary tattoo practices, this is manifested in the reduction of detail, the use of symbolic combinations, and the creation of images that do not have a single fixed meaning. The purpose of the study is to analyze the specific features of implementing understatement in tattooing as a means of forming an open semantic structure of the image and to identify the main artistic approaches to its application. The methodological framework includes visual analysis, a comparative approach, an interpretative method, and case analysis, which allow combining the study of formal characteristics of the image with the disclosure of its semantic potential. The results of the study show that understatement is implemented through the generalization of form, the symbolization of the image, and the balance between detailing and laconic expression, which ensures different models of interaction between the image and the viewer. Generalization contributes to the creation of light and open images through the minimization of visual means; symbolization provides polysemy through metaphorical combinations; and balance makes it possible to combine decorative qualities with semantic openness without overloading the composition. It is determined that the use of understatement enhances the emotional expressiveness of tattoos, promotes the individualization of the image, and creates conditions for active interpretation. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the obtained results in tattoo artistic practice, as well as in the fields of design and visual communication for creating images with an open semantic structure.