Tattoos hold a certain fascination in popular culture. The art form has a rich history that has transitioned into something between a contemporary subculture and the mainstream.
Case in point: the molecular mixologists behind have partnered with for an evening of cocktails and tattoos in the historic Millennium Building in Gastown.
Cocktail Connoisseur, which is run by Kam Tabarraee and Jean Laven, is a "ghost" bar known for its cool, somewhat-underground, events that combine elaborate beverages with creative pursuits like fashion, art, and cabaret.
The pair have previously partnered with fashion designer and NFT artist Kiarash Tarikhi, RnB singer Sofia Evangelina, and the Goh Ballet to create immersive experiences in the same building as Le Papillon and the two projects have been looking for an opportunity to collaborate.
This latest experience felt like the most natural progression for the two art forms. Tattoos and Cocktails will be hosted by tattoo artist and Le Papillon founder Daniel Snoeks, who says the studio is more like a lifestyle brand as it introduces the culture of tattooing to the world.
He honours the history of tattoos and his own personal story with the name. Le Papillon originated with the 1973 French film Papillon which inspired Snoeks' father to get butterfly tattoos, the only tattoos he had while Snoeks was growing up. He studied the history of butterfly tattoos and traced them back to the world of French prisons (in the film, Papillon was a French criminal, based on a true story). This lead Snoeks' to his interest in tattooing.
The event will feature four tattoo artists with different styles tattooing large-scale pieces live with clients they have worked with for a long a time, paired with four cocktails inspired by the story and design of the work.
Louis Tibo () is an old school mixed with new school artist whose an expert at packing in saturated colour and smooth black and grey, Shae Chari () is an illustrative tattooer who likes to design psychedelic and magical nature inspired pieces, Marine () is a fine line black and grey artist who does a lot of florals and winged beasts, and Gale () specializes in highly-stylized dark and twisty vampiric illustrations.
To begin, guests will be greeted with a welcome drink and a brief documentary about Le Papillon by local filmmaker Warwick Hughes. Then each artist will have a station where they will be completing their live tattoo session and people can observe and mingle as DJEvo jams.
There are two sittings for this event at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and there will be an after party in the penthouse of the Millennium Building at 11 p.m. following the second sitting.
Tattoos and Cocktails
Where: 369 Carrall St, Vancouver
When: May 21, 2022; seatings at 5 and 8 p.m.
Tickets
