Tepoztlan is a small town located in the state of Morelos in central Mexico. It is often referred to as Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico, which translates to "Tepoztlan Magic Town" in English. This title was given to the town by the Mexican government in recognition of its cultural, historical, and natural significance. Tepoztlan is renowned for its picturesque beauty and is nestled in the Tepozteco mountain range. The town is known for its colonial-era architecture, cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings that attract tourists from all over the world. Visitors can explore the town's main square, which is lined with local markets, craft stalls, and charming cafes where they can sample traditional Mexican cuisine.

How This Celebrity Tattoo Artist Created a Tattoo You Can Turn On and Off At Will

Bang Bang—who has inked the likes of Rihanna and LeBron—teamed up with research scientists to develop a new kind of light-sensitive ink.

Nearly everybody I know has at least one tattoo except me. But I am apparently not the only person without ink, because a day does not go by where my inbox does not host at least one press email declaring how to get the look, peddling tattoo stickers in the form of Hailey Bieber’s delicate hand tattoos or Pete Davidson’s more in-your-face styles. They’re meant to cater to people like me—blank canvases who still want to play along—or people who aren’t averse to tattoos, but just haven’t found one they’d be willing to commit to permanently yet.

And that’s what makes Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy, owner of Bang Bang Tattoo Studios and very famous tattoo artist, very excited to talk to me about his latest innovation in ink. It’s so much cooler than a sticker—it's real tattoo ink that you can “turn on” or off using different wavelengths of UV and white light. He showed me on himself with a small red heart tattoo on his wrist—a few seconds of a white light flashlight and it was gone, and a few seconds in front of a UV flashlight and there it was again. Just like a spell, hence its name: Magic Ink.

Lots of tattoos here—but only the heart is Magic Ink.

Courtesy of Matt Cooney

Bang (as he's known to his friends and associates) has been quiet about Magic Ink thus far, teasing hints of it on his Instagram, showing only few VIP clients—and now me, in the literal flesh. We met at his glossy Manhattan studio—there's digital screen-wrapped entrance hall, a hovering fish tank above the staircase, poured concrete floors below. Also, lots and lots of abs. Every patron on the Tuesday afternoon of my visit appeared to be a model, or at least a music video extra. (“We get a lot of pretty people in here,” as he put it.)

Bang may be most notable for inking celebrities: Miley Cyrus, Adele, LeBron, Katy Perry, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber. It started with Rihanna. “I met this girl who wanted a tattoo. She wanted a little word on her hip,” he said. It was during his early days working downtown. (“It was like tattoo shop, sex shop, tattoo shop, pizza shop, Papaya Dog—grimy”). It was also around the time “Umbrella” dropped, but he just knew that she was a singer, like so many people who move to NY to pursue their dreams. Rihanna liked the tattoo enough to return several times, and they became friends, which opened more doors. Naturally she was one of the first people he showed Magic Ink. Her reaction was apparently similar to mine: “What the fuck?!”

“Tattooing hasn't changed for the most part. Some of the tools have, but the particles are just essentially soot in skin,” he explained. Magic Ink changes the particles. When they are exposed to certain wavelengths of UV light, they activate. And when exposed to other wavelengths of visual field light (like white light), they deactivate. The idea came by way of a team of scientists in the Atlas Institute at University of Colorado. Doctors Carson Bruns and Jesse Butterfield had been laying the groundwork for “tech tattoos,” a way to incorporate their love of ink with biomedical benefits. The original idea behind Magic Ink was to create a “solar freckle,” something that could alert the wearer to the presence of UV light on their skin (and when it’s time to reapply SPF). “They were trying to solve this issue [that] we can't see ultraviolet—insects can—but we can't, and it's dangerous to us,” Bang explained. He immediately realized how much more there was to do with that technology creatively.

Of course, we are living in a time when tech implants and micro-chipping have gotten some bad PR. (“I hear Black Mirror a lot,” he laughed at one point.) Bang is a believer of skin being the bridge between biology and tech—skin-tech, if you will. When you hear him talk about using an AmEx tattoo to pay for things in the future, it doesn't sound too far off. But as Bang sees it, a tattoo that you can turn on and off isn't so different from regular ink. “Hundreds of millions of people in the world line up for tattoos. We already put things in the body. They just don't have abilities yet.” Bang imagines Magic Ink being used primarily for creative expression, at least for now. But he's looking into how it can be incorporated into cosmetic tattooing: microblading eyebrows you can erase or change shape, freckles you can turn on or off, eyeliner you can “put on” or “take off,” all with light-responsive encapsulated nanotech particles.

True to future-forward philosophy, Magic Ink debuted via NFT auction (sold for 100 ETH, roughly $164,00 at press time). The highest bidder is the owner of the world’s first rewriteable tattoo. Bang is now rolling out the technique with a research set of Magic Ink tattoos on different skin tones and types, mostly comprised of the studio’s artists and VIP clients, and looking to go wider in 2023.

“People love tattoos, even if they don't have tattoos. Everyone has skin; everyone has this relationship to an idea—like ‘how would I externalize what I internally feel, you know what I mean? ‘How do I do that visually that represents my style, my shape, who I am?’” And while that's always been permanent, now there's a way to make it change.

ARTISTS

Owner/ operator Keith “Bang Bang” McCurdy, named by Vogue “the most famous tattoo artist in the world”. Responsible for iconic tattoos on Rihanna, Lebron James, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Cara Delevingne, Adele, Selena Gomez and countless others has recently announced the worlds first reprogrammable, rewritable, erasable tattoo nanotechnology “Magic Ink” and is positioned to reinvent the modern tattoo… again.

Visitors can explore the town's main square, which is lined with local markets, craft stalls, and charming cafes where they can sample traditional Mexican cuisine. One of the main attractions in Tepoztlan is the Tepozteco pyramid, an ancient ceremonial site that sits atop the nearby mountains. The pyramid is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers who can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape after a challenging hike up the mountain.

JAY SHIN

Specializes in illustrative color, fine line and single needle.

Originally from Seoul, Korea Jay became a tattoo artist six years ago after learning from his brother. Shin says, “Previously I did a lot of different jobs, but none satisfied me. I’m much happier as a tattoo artist.”

Tepoztlan is also known for its strong spiritual heritage. The town is considered a hub for alternative and holistic healing practices, attracting many seekers of spiritual enlightenment and wellness. Visitors can indulge in various wellness activities such as yoga retreats, meditation retreats, and alternative healing therapies. The vibrant festivals and traditions of Tepoztlan are another highlight of the town. One of the most famous celebrations is the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which takes place in September. During this time, the town's streets come alive with colorful processions, music, dance, and fireworks. Overall, Tepoztlan Pueblo Magico is a captivating destination that offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and spirituality. Whether one seeks adventure, relaxation, or cultural exploration, Tepoztlan has something for everyone..

Reviews for "Tepoztlan: Discovering the ancient ruins and archaeological sites of Mexico"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience in Tepoztlan pu3blo ma9ico. The town itself was crowded and chaotic, with little to no charm. The streets were dirty and littered with garbage, and there was a constant noise from cars and honking horns. The shops and restaurants were overpriced, and I didn't feel like I got good value for my money. Overall, it was not the magical and peaceful experience I was hoping for.

2. Mark - 3 stars - I had heard so much about Tepoztlan pu3blo ma9ico and was excited to visit, but I left feeling underwhelmed. While the scenery and landscapes were beautiful, the town itself lacked character and authenticity. It felt like it had become too touristy and commercialized, with chain stores and souvenir shops lining the streets. The food was average at best, and I didn't find any unique or standout dishes. For me, the experience fell short of the hype.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I regretted spending my vacation in Tepoztlan pu3blo ma9ico. The town was overcrowded with tourists, and it felt like everyone was trying to sell me something. I couldn't walk down the street without being approached by vendors or people trying to offer me tours. It made me uncomfortable and took away from the peacefulness I was hoping for. Additionally, the prices for everything were inflated, and I didn't feel like I was getting a fair deal. I would not recommend this destination to anyone looking for an authentic and relaxing experience.

Tepoztlan: The perfect destination for a spiritual retreat in Mexico