BME: Body Modification Ezine

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.

Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News, Events, and Culture

  • Star tattoos I like

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I don’t know if I actually do like this next tattoo or not. Part of me thinks it’s sexy (the bottom half of me I suppose) — and really, could any tattoo ruin that? — but part of me thinks it looks like she’s farting stars. I’m sorry, maybe I’m immature, but that’s what comes to mind… This was inked by James Reed at Marked For Life in Warren, MI.

    Before I go — these updates came late today — let me give you three more quick tattoos. On the left are some stars within stars (maybe it’s inspired by 2001, ha, sorry, nerd joke) on Will. The middle one (the Scooby Doo tattoo) is by Ryan Zachary in Portland, OR. And finally, on the right, is a star piece (c/o IAM:London.Midnight) by Ben at Slave to the Needle in Seattle.

  • “No Battery Is Stronger Longer”

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I really like PhaedrA‘s tattoo of a dead battery going to heaven (“expired… get it?”). This was done by Mike Tidwell at Obscurities in Dallas, Texas.

  • What’s a stretched septum good for?

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Apparently putting sugar in your coffee (IAM:Trippwire) and writing notes (IAM:Mr_HIde are two of the benefits to moving past the amateur gauges.

  • Aww, that’s sweet.

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I thought Shelby’s memorial tattoo for her grandmother (done at House of Tattoo in Tacoma, WA) was really sweet… I like that she used what I assume is a note to her from her grandmother as the surrounding text.

  • Crucifixion Piercing… Crucifiction?

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Ouch. Care of Gauge at Golden Eagle Tattoo in beatiful Santa Barbara, California. I assume it’s fresh in this photo — I don’t know how long it was kept for, but if I had to wager I’d say not long… While they have been done successfully and kept long term, it can’t be pleasant during the initial healing period.

  • Haida Hand Tattoo

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I thought this piece by Ian Comete at Impressionz Tattoo in Ottawa was nice.

  • Tri-Navel Piercing

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I think I might worry a little bit about rejection due to the jewelry design, but this navel project by Lucas at Wildcat Antwerp is pretty neat looking. You may remember it from such films as Krull II, in which it played the part of the Glaive.

  • BME Newsfeed for Feb 28, 2006

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Please note that links may expire. IAM members, please help out by submitting stories!

  • A Blog to Bookmark

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    My old friend Olivia (who you may know as IAM:Athena) is currently traveling in Tanzania and spent the weekend with the Maasai. She’s been documenting her trip at oliviaminer.blogspot.com — check it out:

    While I was taking a picture of my mom receiving the bracelet a young girl, maybe 10 years old, touched the tattoo on my ear. As she did, she noticed my earring and got a very curious look on her face. She flipped it around and saw that I did, indeed, have a large hole in my earlobe. I smiled at her and took my earring out, and she squealed! She yelled at the others and they all turned toward me, amazed. I took out my other earring and everyone started chattering loudly. John explained to them that I had been fascinated with Maasai culture since childhood, and that meeting them was a very special occasion for me. Mama Paolos daughter, whose name I didnt catch, lifted her hands up as if to say WAIT! and ran into the house.

    She emerged moments later with earrings for me, and slipped them onto my ears. The women clapped, the men laughed and smiled, the children all watched in amazement. I think right then and there I floated up off the earth. The women said I was now a mzungu Maasai, or white Maasai. I dont think Ive made it back onto solid ground yet. As I write this Im still blown away by what an incredible day it was.


    CLICK TO READ MORE!

  • Inner leg star cuttings

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    These were done by Rob Murphy in Vancouver, Canada on IAM:nyne: