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.

Marionette Suspension

January recently put on this marionette suspension show with Michelle as the marionette, costume and makeup by J-Chans Designs, rig by Mr. Chris at Pavlovia in Denver, and photography by Shawn Shell Photography.

marionette-suspension.jpg

Comments

64 responses to “Marionette Suspension”

  1. Bambi Avatar
    Bambi

    I love marionettes 😀

  2. Bambi Avatar
    Bambi

    I love marionettes 😀

  3. Liebe Avatar
    Liebe

    absolutely gorgeous!
    i want to be that marionette!

  4. Liebe Avatar
    Liebe

    absolutely gorgeous!
    i want to be that marionette!

  5. clockorange Avatar

    wow, it’s beautiful!

  6. clockorange Avatar

    wow, it’s beautiful!

  7. n0ir Avatar
    n0ir

    I sincerely think this is one of the creepiest and scary pictures posted here in quite a while. Metal bars through the balls? Voluntary amputations? Fine, but human marionettes?! Goddamn freaky. :S

  8. n0ir Avatar
    n0ir

    I sincerely think this is one of the creepiest and scary pictures posted here in quite a while. Metal bars through the balls? Voluntary amputations? Fine, but human marionettes?! Goddamn freaky. :S

  9. Smallfry Avatar

    It’s me! That was definitely a pretty crazy, not to mention fun, experience! Can we put a link to my page?

  10. Smallfry Avatar

    It’s me! That was definitely a pretty crazy, not to mention fun, experience! Can we put a link to my page?

  11. CrimsonKiss Avatar
    CrimsonKiss

    I don’t get freaked out by many things. That freaks me out. I think it’s only cuz it’s meant to be a little girl.

  12. CrimsonKiss Avatar
    CrimsonKiss

    I don’t get freaked out by many things. That freaks me out. I think it’s only cuz it’s meant to be a little girl.

  13. Xenobiologista Avatar

    I think it’s rather ingenious and funny at the same time. Person hanging from strings = marionette.

  14. Xenobiologista Avatar

    I think it’s rather ingenious and funny at the same time. Person hanging from strings = marionette.

  15. Saint Christopher Avatar
    Saint Christopher

    This was very fun and I would love to thank everyone involved..

  16. Saint Christopher Avatar
    Saint Christopher

    This was very fun and I would love to thank everyone involved..

  17. January Avatar
    January

    That was fun. It was an idea I had bouncing around in my head for almost 2 years. I’m glad I found a willing participant that was just as excited as I was! Still have a few kinks (haha) to work out, but we’re looking forward to actually putting on a public marionette performance this summer. Thanks Michelle!

  18. January Avatar
    January

    That was fun. It was an idea I had bouncing around in my head for almost 2 years. I’m glad I found a willing participant that was just as excited as I was! Still have a few kinks (haha) to work out, but we’re looking forward to actually putting on a public marionette performance this summer. Thanks Michelle!

  19. (IAM:) Stormchaser Avatar

    That’s a nice idea, and you could do wonderful art (satirics to politics) with that. With some other clothings I really could imaging playing the marionette.

  20. (IAM:) Stormchaser Avatar

    That’s a nice idea, and you could do wonderful art (satirics to politics) with that. With some other clothings I really could imaging playing the marionette.

  21. Cosette Avatar
    Cosette

    Oh my god. That’s incredible… and really eerie. She even has lines drawn on her chin for where the puppet mouth would open! (or tattooed on?)

  22. Cosette Avatar
    Cosette

    Oh my god. That’s incredible… and really eerie. She even has lines drawn on her chin for where the puppet mouth would open! (or tattooed on?)

  23. Soubi Avatar
    Soubi

    That’s truly stunning!

  24. Soubi Avatar
    Soubi

    That’s truly stunning!

  25. Parker Avatar
    Parker

    thats really… creepy

    reminds me of that movie Dead Silence or whatever it was called

  26. Parker Avatar
    Parker

    thats really… creepy

    reminds me of that movie Dead Silence or whatever it was called

  27. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    What fun!!
    I love seeing pictures for the variety of people’s imagination. 🙂

  28. JustJen Avatar
    JustJen

    What fun!!
    I love seeing pictures for the variety of people’s imagination. 🙂

  29. ImmureME Avatar

    Very cool, but definitely very creepy

  30. ImmureME Avatar

    Very cool, but definitely very creepy

  31. La Negra Avatar
    La Negra

    GREAT job!!!

  32. La Negra Avatar
    La Negra

    GREAT job!!!

  33. Tsarik Avatar
    Tsarik

    she looks so fucking creepy!

    i love it

  34. Tsarik Avatar
    Tsarik

    she looks so fucking creepy!

    i love it

  35. Lk Avatar
    Lk

    that’s so F***in’ amazing!

  36. Lk Avatar
    Lk

    that’s so F***in’ amazing!

  37. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    That’s really weird! haha

  38. Mark Avatar
    Mark

    That’s really weird! haha

  39. (iam)smufc Avatar
    (iam)smufc

    Puppets usually give me the creeps and so did this picture at first. But I can’t help finding it amusing now and really ingenious too!

  40. (iam)smufc Avatar
    (iam)smufc

    Puppets usually give me the creeps and so did this picture at first. But I can’t help finding it amusing now and really ingenious too!

  41. dani Avatar
    dani

    thats really cool. im surprised i havent seen it before.

  42. dani Avatar
    dani

    thats really cool. im surprised i havent seen it before.

  43. melsgam Avatar

    that is really fucking creepy.

    but really fucking awesome.

  44. melsgam Avatar

    that is really fucking creepy.

    but really fucking awesome.

  45. Arawyn Avatar
    Arawyn

    Lovely 🙂 Though she looks kinda creepy…

  46. Arawyn Avatar
    Arawyn

    Lovely 🙂 Though she looks kinda creepy…

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
    One of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
  • 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