Musician becomes living art frame

KARLSRUHE, Germany, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- A Swiss musician says he must forfeit the large tattoo on his back upon his death to a German man who paid him to become a living, breathing picture frame.

Musician Tim Steiner said as part of his deal with Rik Reinking, he endured 30 hours of tattoo work and must surrender his back skin to the German art collector upon his death, The Sunday Times of London reported.

"Nothing has changed for me," he said. "I'm just the frame that gets to carry the picture round."

Steiner must also make at least three appearances at art shows each year to show off the back tattoo.

The 30-year-old said while he is loathe to think about what will become of the decorated skin on his back upon his death, he is "amused" to be wearing the art work created by conceptual artist Wim Delvoye.

"I don't like to think about that just yet," Steiner said of the post-mortem details of his agreement, "but my back will gain a sort of permanence, outliving everyone else. That amuses me."