Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Lars Krutak papers, 2003-2013
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Krutak, Lars F
- Title
- Lars Krutak papers
- Dates
- 2003-2013 (inclusive)20032013
- Quantity
- 0.18 cubic feet (1 box including 8 DVDs and 10 CDs)
- Collection Number
- 2696-145
- Summary
- Research materials and writings of Lars Krutak, an archaeologist and cultural anthropologist specializing in tattoos in native North American communities and around the world
- Repository
-
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu - Access Restrictions
Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Lars Krutak received his Ph.D. at Arizona State University’s School of Human Evolution & Social Change in 2009. In 2003, he began studying the socioeconomic impacts of tourism and tourism promotion on indigenous Rarámuri (Tarahumara) arts and crafts vendors living in the Copper Canyon region of Mexico for his dissertation.
Krutak began tattoo research in 1996 as a graduate student at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Trained as an archaeologist and cultural anthropologist, he spent three years exploring the complex symbolism and practice of tattooing throughout the Arctic.
Krutak’s tattoo research culminated in an unpublished Master’s thesis, One Stitch at a Time: Ivalu and Sivuqaq Tattoo, focusing on the traditional tattooing of the St. Lawrence Island Yupiit, as well as several freelance photojournalism jobs for leading tattoo magazines in Germany, England, and the United States. Today, Krutak also contributes articles to other international tattoo publications, including Total Tattoo (UK), Tattoo Savage (USA), Z Tattoo (Denmark), Tattoo Magazin (Hungary), and Tattoo Planet (Netherlands).
Krutak worked for several years as a Repatriation Research Specialist at the National Museum of the American Indian, and as a Research Collaborator in the Department of Anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Between 1998 and 2003, he also worked in several countries of the former Yugoslavia monitoring democratic reforms and elections for the OSCE.
In 2002, Krutak embarked on a world tour devoted to recording the lives, stories, and experiences of tattooed people around the globe. He has worked as an Anthropological Consultant for three National Geographic television documentaries, and as the Technical Advisor for one of the world’s largest and most popular tattoo websites. In 2003, he was a co-recipient of the American Book Award in Literature.
In June 2014, Krutak’s book Tattoo Traditions of Native North America: Ancient and Contemporary Expressions of Identity (LM Publishers/University of Washington Press, 256pp.) was published. The book focuses on the Indigenous tattoo history of the entire North American continent.
(Information gathered from www.larskrutak.com)
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Research materials and writings by Lars Krutak for his work related to the impact of tourism on the Tarahumara in Mexico and tattoo traditions in native North America and around the world. Included are CDs and DVDs of interviews with contemporary tribal tattoo bearers from 11 indigenous groups and a final research report for Sacred Skin Tattooing of Native North America; Uglalghiit Keluktat Kiyaghtelleghmun: Many Stitches for Life - History of St. Lawrence Island Yupik tattoo, a 2003 writing by Lars Krutak and Christopher Koonooka that originated from Krutak's Master's degree thesis project completed at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, in 1998; and 5 DVDs with 30 hours of ethnographic field notes and musical tracks related to Krutak's dissertation The Socioeconomic Impacts of Tourism in the Sierra Tarahumara of Mexico.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the Jacobs Research Funds linguistic research collection.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | 10 CDs and 3 DVDs of interviews with contemporary tribal tattoo bearers for Sacred Skin Tattooing of Native North America | 2012-2013 |
| 1/2 | Final Research Report for Sacred Skin Tattooing of Native North America | 2013 |
| 1/3 | Uglalghiit Keluktat Kiyaghtelleghmun: Many Stitches for Life - History of St. Lawrence Island Yupik tattoo | 2003 |
| 1/4 | 5 DVDs of research for The Socioeconomic Impacts of Tourism in the Sierra Tarahumara of Mexico | 2007 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Indians of North America--Interviews
- Tattooing--Research--United States
Personal Names
- Krutak, Lars F.--Archives
Form or Genre Terms
- Records (Documents)
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Jacobs Research Funds, (sponsoring body)
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
