Claudia Valentini extreme body modifications (not) only for the brave ones!

I must point out that I knew Claudia Valentini thanks to a good friend of mine - and I am endlessly grateful to him for that! Why? Well, she's a true artist who sublimely combines her experience with needles and remarkable artistic sense of taste. Claudia is originally from Spain. She has more than 8 years of experience as a piercer, besides, she also specializes in scarification. On day-to-day she works at the studio "Enkita Tattooshop", but she also deals with play piercing - one of the most extreme temporary body modifications - of course after her working hours. And - I don't have the slightest doubt about this - her skills place her among the world's top piercers. Anyway, find out for yourself!

Marta Wierzba: Before we get into the topic of extreme body modifications, I would like to know when exactly did your piercing career start?

Claudia Valentini: I started working as a piercer 6 years ago and at the same time as a professional. When I performed my first piercing I was 14 years old (so it was 14 years ago). It all started as a funny thing to do with friends, and then when lots of people started asking me for my work. I took it seriously and I started thinking that it could be my real job. I couldn’t be happier about my decision.

Please explain to our readers what play piercing is all about; because in my opinion, it can be boldly described as artistic performance!

Play piercing for me is an artwork; a beautiful experience to share between me, the model and people who are helping me with make up, cosmetics or simply by spending all that day with me. We don’t always make it a real, big performance - most of the time we're just taking some pictures to show our work but, I have to admit that on the stage you can really feel everybody’s energy or curiosity which I find awesome!

Play piercing - is a temporary body modification, combining elements of artistic performance with piercer's skills and knowledge. A specialist creates a composition of a dozen or even dozens of piercings on the model's body. The so-called 'playing with them' is supposed to provide the audience with an aesthetic experience; therefore, the whole process is often public and/or its effects are recorded during photoshoots or on video. After the session is over, the needles or jewelry are removed from the model's body.

I am curious, can any piercer do this? Or should they need to finish some training first?

Anyone in this industry can do play piercing, of course, experience helps to do the work 'cleanly' and gives much more freedom to play with the human anatomy. Nevertheless, I believe that beginners should also try their hand at this field. Happily, our work allows you to let your creativity run wild; there is no reason to limit yourself. It is a very enlightening experience, providing a lot of positive emotions; regardless of seniority in the profession.

You're writing on your Instagram profile that you are 'addicted to play piercing', in addition to making scarifications. Why did you become interested in such extreme forms of body modification?

Yes absolutely! I can totally say that I'm addicted to play piercing! When I'm doing this in a particular moment, it gives me a shot of inexplicable adrenaline and helps me to feel these positive vibes between all the people involved. So, about body mods; I've always been really interested in that field. Even before becoming a good piercer I always dreamed about doing extreme mods, and now when I have the opportunity of doing both, I just cannot be happier!

Well, since we already started the scarification topic; is the time of such a session and its cost comparable to a standard visit to a tattoo parlor? What does such an appointment look like?

Of course, the process of scarification is somewhat similar to getting a normal tattoo. The difference is that instead of a razor and ink, I use appropriate blades during the session. I, my clients and friends literally "live this moment". It's a kind of ritual. Many of the scarifications I've done have had an extremely strong personal meaning; that's why people who come to me have chosen to have a design "etched" into their skin instead of a tattoo.

Scarification is a specific variation of the permanent body art, classified as an extreme form of body modification. The patterns are created by cutting the skin, which forms scar tissue as it heals.

In Poland, scarification is still somewhat shrouded in disrepute, making few people decide to do it. How is it in Spain? Judging by your profile on Instagram, you are unlikely to complain about a lack of customers!

Actually, I think that it doesn’t depend on the country you live in. Everything is in our minds. I had the opportunity to work in many countries and it doesn’t matter where I was - there’s always some people really interested and curious as well as these terrified ones! They said that they would never want to try something like that. I have to say that in Poland I found people reacting really positive watching me working.

You had the opportunity to visit Poland during this year's "Poznań Tattoo Convention", where you and Angie Piercing gave a play piercing show. How do you remember that event?

I will say one thing: WOW! I will remember it for a long time - it was an amazing experience and when I bring back memories of this event, I can't stop smiling! I had the pleasure to meet a lot of friendly people! There is an amazing aura emanating from Angie herself and her team - they're people who literally 'infect' you with their motivation! I could not dream of a better team to work with during such a festival!

Is it difficult to find a model or models for a show like the one you and Angie gave during the festival?

Not really. On a daily basis I’m receiving tons of emails and messages from people that want to try it - of course it’s not for everyone, but surprisingly I can see that many of them are getting tempted to see for themselves. And that’s how it should be! If you like something you shouldn’t let your mind or people around you stop it, because your body is the only thing that will be yours forever!

What happens to the human body, which has even been injected so many times? What does the healing process look like and is it at all possible to avoid scars?

Against popular opinion, play piercing doesn't really affect the body as much as some might think. After the session is over, we usually all go to dinner together. I haven't noticed that the models feel worse during these meetings; on the contrary, they are very well off, as are the other 'revelers' (laughs)! If, on the other hand, you ask about post-session treatment - I always suggest models buy a cream to prevent scarring. Although, to be honest..., some girls did not follow my advice, and their scars are not visible at all. All because play piercing does not take long; the whole thing is done in (at most!) 4 to 5 hours.

Claudia, ending our conversation I have to ask what are your plans for the rest of this year and do you include visiting Poland again?

I don't like to plan. I have gone to most conventions or guest spots spontaneously - I highly value it! However, I can say that one of my most important goals is to go to the USA and start working there. Of course, Poland has also really positively surprised me and I would like to return to this country as soon as possible! Angie is already inviting me to visit this year, but unfortunately (and I'm very sorry about this) I won't be able to come. But, I can't wait to see her again next year!