A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Rolf and Stelarc at the Oslo Suspension Symposium

I met and interviewed Stelarc back in 2004 at the Transvision transhumanist convention here in Toronto, but while he was already planning it, he had not yet implanted the ear in his arm. He’s in Oslo right now, as part of the amazing 2012 Oslo Suspension Symposium (these events just keep getting more and more amazing), and Rolf Buchholz — and incredible artist in his own right — just posted a nice picture of the two of them together showing off their amazing transformation. Zoom in and get a nice big look.

In addition to collecting an incredible number of piercings, Rolf also takes an incredible number of just wonderful images from suspension events around the world — he is the best traveled suspension enthusiasts I can think of, perhaps by a wide margin, and it wouldn’t surprise me to find out that he holds a world record in suspension as well as piercing. In any case, here are two photos he took at the happening-right-now 2012 Oslo Suspension Symposium. Stunning artistry, as I had expected. The first photo can be zoomed in.

Comments

3 responses to “Rolf and Stelarc at the Oslo Suspension Symposium”

  1. yaker Avatar
    yaker

    photo 1 all I can see is the Ear (shaped?) implant, nice placement, composition…next to Rolf’s ear. 2nd photo, I see guy on left then girl next to him, with an upside down ear morphing from her bottom(butt/bum..whatever).blah….that photo is weak, bad composition…had photographer moved a tad right it’d be a better less funny photo. blah….objects(persons) moving. blah, a better quality(higher res) photo may reveal the boundaries, here I can not, regardless weak composition. Ok whatever. I suppose most prob won’t even notice that? idk, that ear then the next photo made it hard to focus elsewhere.K done. wait. 3rd photo is really nice, blah and so was first as I said, but now I’m seeing all ears. shut up . ok sorrrrry. k really done this time.

  2. yaker Avatar
    yaker

    * a tad left. …had I shut up… blahhh…, lmao, who cares right?

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