Interesting thoughts about your nose stud, as well. Personally, I think it looks quite fetching. I was simply curious as to what significance you attached to it, if any, as I know many people who get such jewelry simply “because it looks nice” — which is perfectly defensible in and of itself. I suspected, however, that was not your (sole) motivation ;)

You may well be an opponent of permanence, and yet a fan of piercings. Unlike tattoos, piercings can be removed. This is one particular reason why I value them so highly.

You present intriguing points in your argument, I do not pretend to know the answer to the question “At what point does such a device become art?”. I am ignorant.

Art is subjective, some people sustain it does not exist, some think it is in every face of life that the title “art” cannot encompass it, others hold other views. Art is changing, what one sees today as art could possibly be what one once saw as garbage.

I do have a nose stud, I consider it a small sparkling object that adds a bit of light to my nostril, and in that sense, and in the sense that I connect it to other forms of self-expression and creativity, it is artistic. Not painless, but artistic.

Body modification, however, is becoming more mainstream and utilitarian. Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones, for instance, are slowly becoming a common feature for people to wear at all times when out in public.

At what point does such a device become “art” as opposed to “tool” (or, perhaps, “vanity item”)? When it becomes smaller and more stylized, like a small piece of jewlry, perhaps? When it can be permanently installed?

And at what point does “art” cease to be “art” and become too commonplace or crass? When it begins to have a socially acceptable function? When it becomes too “easy” and simplistic?

I notice from your profile photograph that you have a small stud in your nose (a feature I have always found attractive when pulled off correctly). Do you consider it “art” or something less?