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.

Viva la sangre!

Ron Garza sends in this powerful photo of Jon Durante‘s facial cuttings. Along with several other friends, they climbed to the top of an Aztec pyramid (a site no stranger to blood rituals) and performed a series of rituals and modifications (read and see more on their IAM pages)… They were escorted off the pyramids by the Federales, but the police were respectful and let them go after getting them away from the tourists.

Ron says that they were told this was the most blood spilled on that pyramid in the last five hundred years.

This photo just gives me the chills; and that was before I’d read the story… I think I’m going to leave it up as the top entry for a while (that’s why I posted lots today). It’s really one of my favorite photo sets I’ve received at BME of all time.

Comments

32 responses to “Viva la sangre!”

  1. verucassault Avatar
    verucassault

    Wow. That’s an amazing story and similarly amazing photos. I’m fascinated that the police didn’t chuck ‘em off the side of the pyramid or anything – like I’m sure they would have in the States.

    *stares at photo some more*

  2. verucassault Avatar
    verucassault

    Wow. That’s an amazing story and similarly amazing photos. I’m fascinated that the police didn’t chuck ‘em off the side of the pyramid or anything – like I’m sure they would have in the States.

    *stares at photo some more*

  3. TribalJMD Avatar

    wow, I always admired his work, and that just seems like it would have been an awesome experince.

  4. TribalJMD Avatar

    wow, I always admired his work, and that just seems like it would have been an awesome experince.

  5. Emily Avatar

    That’s aweeeeesome, just symbolically… amazing.

  6. Emily Avatar

    That’s aweeeeesome, just symbolically… amazing.

  7. La Negra Avatar
    La Negra

    Viva!

  8. La Negra Avatar
    La Negra

    Viva!

  9. wild skin Avatar

    A M A Z I N G!!! 0_0 my heart beats not fast…but hard…that pic has taken me to another place…definately gonna read the stoy NOW!!!

  10. wild skin Avatar

    A M A Z I N G!!! 0_0 my heart beats not fast…but hard…that pic has taken me to another place…definately gonna read the stoy NOW!!!

  11. Tara Avatar
  12. Tara Avatar
  13. Sade Avatar
    Sade

    i find this piscture so calming for some reason.

  14. Sade Avatar
    Sade

    i find this piscture so calming for some reason.

  15. goomy Avatar

    I agree with Sade. This picture seems kind of soothing.

  16. goomy Avatar

    I agree with Sade. This picture seems kind of soothing.

  17. waffle Avatar
    waffle

    this is so captivating i would love to have a part in something like this

  18. waffle Avatar
    waffle

    this is so captivating i would love to have a part in something like this

  19. Kao Avatar

    inspiring!!!!

  20. Kao Avatar

    inspiring!!!!

  21. John Durante Avatar
    John Durante

    This was one of the most amazing expieriences in my life, I am flattered it moved so many people, I love you guys!!!

  22. John Durante Avatar
    John Durante

    This was one of the most amazing expieriences in my life, I am flattered it moved so many people, I love you guys!!!

  23. lala Avatar
    lala

    Like I said before, John Durante, you are AWESOME!

  24. lala Avatar
    lala

    Like I said before, John Durante, you are AWESOME!

  25. Bronwyn Avatar

    that site looks familiar… is that at Teotihuacan outside Mexico City?

  26. Bronwyn Avatar

    that site looks familiar… is that at Teotihuacan outside Mexico City?

  27. yer mom Avatar
    yer mom

    douchebags like him shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near such sacred sites…

  28. yer mom Avatar
    yer mom

    douchebags like him shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near such sacred sites…

  29. rachel cherie Avatar
    rachel cherie

    jon durante is pretty intense in a calm steady piercing way. i met him up in seattle when his cuttings were well scarred up. they look great.

  30. rachel cherie Avatar
    rachel cherie

    jon durante is pretty intense in a calm steady piercing way. i met him up in seattle when his cuttings were well scarred up. they look great.

  31. Noah Matteson Avatar
    Noah Matteson

    once again, john durante is one of the greatest mod artists. he takes everything into a personal matter, and makes it such a great experience while having a great time.

  32. Noah Matteson Avatar
    Noah Matteson

    once again, john durante is one of the greatest mod artists. he takes everything into a personal matter, and makes it such a great experience while having a great time.

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
  • Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
    Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep. Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so… Read more: Rachel Larratt 1980-2022