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.

Companionship.

A friend of mine sent me a link to this beautiful (and informal) interview between Clayton Cubitt and Vic Taurewa Biddle discussing his homosexuality, Tā moko, Maori heritage, the Twelfth Realm and everything inbetween.

Apparently Veoh (the provider of the video above) is blocked in quite a few countries so if you can’t view it above, here is the YouTube video.

Comments

68 responses to “Companionship.”

  1. Jaffa Avatar

    Jon P: What you say about the Maori is true to the first nation tribes here in the US. Lots of people romanticize us, even though the majority of us are so disassociated with the old ways that it doesn’t mean shit. I don’t even know the true name of one of the tribes I descend from, and I sure as hell am not a spiritual person.

    This video, though, was awesome. More shit like this, and more queer oriented stuff if you get it!

  2. Jaffa Avatar

    Jon P: What you say about the Maori is true to the first nation tribes here in the US. Lots of people romanticize us, even though the majority of us are so disassociated with the old ways that it doesn’t mean shit. I don’t even know the true name of one of the tribes I descend from, and I sure as hell am not a spiritual person.

    This video, though, was awesome. More shit like this, and more queer oriented stuff if you get it!

  3. Jon P Avatar

    I made it sound overly pessimistic. The situation for Maori as a homogenous single grouping of people (which politically we are but socially we aren’t, Maori exist in iwi/tribes, mine being Ngaati Porou) is less so than the descendants of the colonisers, the Paakehaa, of which I am also descended.

    Some of us know about our roots because we’ve researched and have the luxury of being able to know. For some people, just worrying about paying the bills and finding food for your kids takes precendent over a strong Maori idenity and knowing about their Maoritanga and all it entails.

    I’m in agreement on one point though, its AWESOME to have Maori speaking about Maori things, as opposed to people who think they have some kind of deeper insight just because they came to Aotearoa for a week or two and saw some tourist sights.

  4. Jon P Avatar

    I made it sound overly pessimistic. The situation for Maori as a homogenous single grouping of people (which politically we are but socially we aren’t, Maori exist in iwi/tribes, mine being Ngaati Porou) is less so than the descendants of the colonisers, the Paakehaa, of which I am also descended.

    Some of us know about our roots because we’ve researched and have the luxury of being able to know. For some people, just worrying about paying the bills and finding food for your kids takes precendent over a strong Maori idenity and knowing about their Maoritanga and all it entails.

    I’m in agreement on one point though, its AWESOME to have Maori speaking about Maori things, as opposed to people who think they have some kind of deeper insight just because they came to Aotearoa for a week or two and saw some tourist sights.

  5. LeeHO Avatar
    LeeHO

    A post with a good looking guy and depth. I’m with #26 informative intersting posts like this should come around more often of course it requires people to submit and the rarity means people aren’t. An increase in queer related stuff would be good too.

  6. LeeHO Avatar
    LeeHO

    A post with a good looking guy and depth. I’m with #26 informative intersting posts like this should come around more often of course it requires people to submit and the rarity means people aren’t. An increase in queer related stuff would be good too.

  7. Jon P Avatar

    For Modblog to have more of this stuff, it requires that people go out and look for it. If you want to know more about Ta Moko, there are videos on YouTube. Most of the videos feature Darby Tuhaka (who is from my tribe) who claims to be world-renowned but isn’t. He’s a quack in the eyes of more reputable ta moko artists.

    Check the videos featuring George Nuku, very very cool.

  8. Jon P Avatar

    For Modblog to have more of this stuff, it requires that people go out and look for it. If you want to know more about Ta Moko, there are videos on YouTube. Most of the videos feature Darby Tuhaka (who is from my tribe) who claims to be world-renowned but isn’t. He’s a quack in the eyes of more reputable ta moko artists.

    Check the videos featuring George Nuku, very very cool.

  9. an.an. Avatar

    thanks roo, this is such an interesting and charming video.

  10. an.an. Avatar

    thanks roo, this is such an interesting and charming video.

  11. an.an. Avatar

    @jon p, thanks for the suggestions on literature/youtube videos…much appreciated.

  12. an.an. Avatar

    @jon p, thanks for the suggestions on literature/youtube videos…much appreciated.

  13. LeeHO Avatar
    LeeHO

    I forgot to mention so Icame back in case anyone else checks back there was a documentary I saw recently not mod related but about a navajo who discovered dance and went from the reservation to new york to become one of the greatest ballet dancers. He was gay and mentioned that in the navajo belief system homosexuals were respected for being unique. It was an episode of PBS’s Indepedent Lens titled “Water Flowing Together”

  14. LeeHO Avatar
    LeeHO

    I forgot to mention so Icame back in case anyone else checks back there was a documentary I saw recently not mod related but about a navajo who discovered dance and went from the reservation to new york to become one of the greatest ballet dancers. He was gay and mentioned that in the navajo belief system homosexuals were respected for being unique. It was an episode of PBS’s Indepedent Lens titled “Water Flowing Together”

  15. Jon P Avatar

    Just wanted to let everyone know that if you go here:

    http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Arts_Photography/Art/Design/Textile_Costume/product_info/12038808/?ref=1163

    They’ve got Mau Moko for 50% off today only. That’s NZ$32.99 = US$24.99!

  16. Jon P Avatar

    Just wanted to let everyone know that if you go here:

    http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Arts_Photography/Art/Design/Textile_Costume/product_info/12038808/?ref=1163

    They’ve got Mau Moko for 50% off today only. That’s NZ$32.99 = US$24.99!

  17. Sure, blame the colonizers Avatar
    Sure, blame the colonizers

    Sure, blame the colonizers.

    No society has condoned homosexuality as a lifestyle because it is a poor evolutionary strategy for the race/ethnicity. The only reason it’s promoted in western culture is because social engineers are looking to destroy western civilization. I’ll give you a hint, they own the media.

  18. Sure, blame the colonizers Avatar
    Sure, blame the colonizers

    Sure, blame the colonizers.

    No society has condoned homosexuality as a lifestyle because it is a poor evolutionary strategy for the race/ethnicity. The only reason it’s promoted in western culture is because social engineers are looking to destroy western civilization. I’ll give you a hint, they own the media.

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