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.

A fresh take on leaf rubbing

For those of you not familiar with the term “leaf rubbing”, it’s when you take a leaf from a tree (or other plant) and place it underneath piece of paper, then gently rub a crayon or charcoal across the paper, creating the impression of the leaf.  For Christiano Aielli, he does things a little differently.

To start, he cuts out the shape of the leaf, then he follows that by rubbing ink into the wound.  The result is a little different than the traditional method, as you can see below.

Comments

84 responses to “A fresh take on leaf rubbing”

  1. theawkwardkid Avatar
    theawkwardkid

    it’s a japanese maple leaf. <33 what a great comment.

  2. theawkwardkid Avatar
    theawkwardkid

    it’s a japanese maple leaf. <33 what a great comment.

  3. Deano Avatar

    @ theawkwardkid

    well its a fair point…I don’t see anywhere in the original post it SAYING its a marijuana leaf….everyones just jumping to conclusion 😛

  4. Deano Avatar

    @ theawkwardkid

    well its a fair point…I don’t see anywhere in the original post it SAYING its a marijuana leaf….everyones just jumping to conclusion 😛

  5. Kimber Avatar
    Kimber

    “I think the point should be made, the very fundamental point, that just because you don’t agree with a law, you do not have the right to break it. Marijuana is illegal, impairs the senses, and is a DRUG. If you get caught under the influence and end up going through the justice system, it serves you right.”

    Lol, you are a brainwashed joke ffs. So it’s the law/governments/corporations that should make decisions on what we can do with our choices, lives and bodies? What the fuck are you doing on this website then? You are aware that in some countries tattooing on face and hands (Denmark for example), suspensions etc. are prohibited by law, aren’t you? What about countries where homesexuality is outlawed? Or you think your government is more worthy of trust?

    Judging from what you wrote, you know fuck all about drugs except propaganda which is designed to keep the likes of you in their place. Quite incredible to read on Modblog that those who make decisions for themselves have to be punished, GTFO

  6. Kimber Avatar
    Kimber

    “I think the point should be made, the very fundamental point, that just because you don’t agree with a law, you do not have the right to break it. Marijuana is illegal, impairs the senses, and is a DRUG. If you get caught under the influence and end up going through the justice system, it serves you right.”

    Lol, you are a brainwashed joke ffs. So it’s the law/governments/corporations that should make decisions on what we can do with our choices, lives and bodies? What the fuck are you doing on this website then? You are aware that in some countries tattooing on face and hands (Denmark for example), suspensions etc. are prohibited by law, aren’t you? What about countries where homesexuality is outlawed? Or you think your government is more worthy of trust?

    Judging from what you wrote, you know fuck all about drugs except propaganda which is designed to keep the likes of you in their place. Quite incredible to read on Modblog that those who make decisions for themselves have to be punished, GTFO

  7. Steffy Avatar
    Steffy

    Nothing wrong with smoking marijuana. I do but purely recreational. I never do it before I go to work or school, I’ve got a great relationship with my boyfriend and I have no family issues, no kids and I never don’t have money, I’ve also got 3 qualifications behind me so I’m not stupid either John P’s comments were a bit stereotyped and certainly don’t apply to everyone. As long as what ever you do to yourself isn’t harming anyone else, what business is it of anyones to say otherwise? We all know drugs are bad mmmkay but so is drinking, smoking tobacco, eating Mc Donalds, using your cellphone(apparently), being subjected to harsh chemicals (which I am alot as I’m a panel beater) and downloading music..

  8. Steffy Avatar
    Steffy

    Nothing wrong with smoking marijuana. I do but purely recreational. I never do it before I go to work or school, I’ve got a great relationship with my boyfriend and I have no family issues, no kids and I never don’t have money, I’ve also got 3 qualifications behind me so I’m not stupid either John P’s comments were a bit stereotyped and certainly don’t apply to everyone. As long as what ever you do to yourself isn’t harming anyone else, what business is it of anyones to say otherwise? We all know drugs are bad mmmkay but so is drinking, smoking tobacco, eating Mc Donalds, using your cellphone(apparently), being subjected to harsh chemicals (which I am alot as I’m a panel beater) and downloading music..

  9. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    You obviously didn’t read all of my comments. But that’s fine.

  10. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    You obviously didn’t read all of my comments. But that’s fine.

  11. Lena Avatar
    Lena

    We all read your comments, Jon. ModBlog just isnt the place to talk shit about other peoples choices.

  12. Lena Avatar
    Lena

    We all read your comments, Jon. ModBlog just isnt the place to talk shit about other peoples choices.

  13. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    1) I said marijuana is fine for responsible adults.
    2) I made it clear I don’t believe marijuana to be a gateway drug.
    3) I said that laws shouldn’t be broken, more specifically just because you disagree with a law, you don’t have the right to break it.

    Which of those three do you disagree with?

    I can understand people disagreeing with my opinion that marijuana tattoos, scars, etc. are trashy and similar to the trash who wear marijuana-emblazoned clothing. That’s merely an opinion. Note that I also stated I think this is a well-executed piece. The above three contentions I believe to be axiomatic.

    So again I’ll ask, to all the naysayers, which of the above three statements do you disagree with?

    And by stating them, or even merely stating an opinion, I somehow have less right to participate in a comments section of a public blog than the pro-marijuana crew (I am not of the anti-marijuana crew, note statement number one)?

    And I’M the close-minded one?

  14. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    1) I said marijuana is fine for responsible adults.
    2) I made it clear I don’t believe marijuana to be a gateway drug.
    3) I said that laws shouldn’t be broken, more specifically just because you disagree with a law, you don’t have the right to break it.

    Which of those three do you disagree with?

    I can understand people disagreeing with my opinion that marijuana tattoos, scars, etc. are trashy and similar to the trash who wear marijuana-emblazoned clothing. That’s merely an opinion. Note that I also stated I think this is a well-executed piece. The above three contentions I believe to be axiomatic.

    So again I’ll ask, to all the naysayers, which of the above three statements do you disagree with?

    And by stating them, or even merely stating an opinion, I somehow have less right to participate in a comments section of a public blog than the pro-marijuana crew (I am not of the anti-marijuana crew, note statement number one)?

    And I’M the close-minded one?

  15. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Oh, and I think it would be quite funny if any of you people commenting negatively about my comments own a BMEAotearoa shirt. That was the design I created, so you might want to mull that over if you think I’m such an irrational bigot.

  16. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Oh, and I think it would be quite funny if any of you people commenting negatively about my comments own a BMEAotearoa shirt. That was the design I created, so you might want to mull that over if you think I’m such an irrational bigot.

  17. luke Avatar
    luke

    Jon P, if you have ever read the comments on this site, you would have expected a lot of naysayers not reading your comments and calling you small minded. You Goose!

  18. luke Avatar
    luke

    Jon P, if you have ever read the comments on this site, you would have expected a lot of naysayers not reading your comments and calling you small minded. You Goose!

  19. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    @ Jon P. You are a moron. the only people you know of that smoke pot have money issues? are lower class? are dumb? Let me shed a little light into your absolutely closed-minded self…Ever hear of carl sagan? you know, that astrophysicist who was the greatest of his time? yeah he smoked pot. You know arlnold schwarzennegar? the guy who won mr olympia 8 straight times, became a governor of a US state, even after moving here in his early twenties without knowing a lick of english? yeah, he smoked pot. most actors smoke, most band members, politicians, the owner of virgin mobile, monks, spiritual thinkers, and, the most widespread of them all, the worldly youth. you have no idea about anything that you have said, and the fact that you are alive and able to post things like that makes me doubt the further existence of our species. you are an idiot and should not be allowed to reproduce.

  20. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    @ Jon P. You are a moron. the only people you know of that smoke pot have money issues? are lower class? are dumb? Let me shed a little light into your absolutely closed-minded self…Ever hear of carl sagan? you know, that astrophysicist who was the greatest of his time? yeah he smoked pot. You know arlnold schwarzennegar? the guy who won mr olympia 8 straight times, became a governor of a US state, even after moving here in his early twenties without knowing a lick of english? yeah, he smoked pot. most actors smoke, most band members, politicians, the owner of virgin mobile, monks, spiritual thinkers, and, the most widespread of them all, the worldly youth. you have no idea about anything that you have said, and the fact that you are alive and able to post things like that makes me doubt the further existence of our species. you are an idiot and should not be allowed to reproduce.

  21. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    @ Jon P. the fact that marijuana is illegal is just stupid. have you even looked at why its illegal? its a plant, dude. a plant. and youre going to live your life by what others tell you? fine. do it. youre the kind of person that is holding back the progression of human consciousness. Also, i find it funny that you contradicted yourself: You said that it was ok for responsible adults to smoke marijuana. well, even if “responsible adults” smoked it, wouldnt it still be illegal? you think you are smart, but we all know you arent. you dont have any idea of whats going on outside of your little island home of new zealand. so why dont you just go and live in the mines of moria with your other hobbit friends.

  22. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    @ Jon P. the fact that marijuana is illegal is just stupid. have you even looked at why its illegal? its a plant, dude. a plant. and youre going to live your life by what others tell you? fine. do it. youre the kind of person that is holding back the progression of human consciousness. Also, i find it funny that you contradicted yourself: You said that it was ok for responsible adults to smoke marijuana. well, even if “responsible adults” smoked it, wouldnt it still be illegal? you think you are smart, but we all know you arent. you dont have any idea of whats going on outside of your little island home of new zealand. so why dont you just go and live in the mines of moria with your other hobbit friends.

  23. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    RIGHTS?! youre going to talk to me about rights? our rights were givin to us by the same people who gave us laws. of course they wouldnt want us to break them. that would mean that we can think for ourselves and not be controlled. and, as we all know, government is a HIGHLY controlling disease that we need to rid ourselves of to continue moving forward.

  24. Cody S Avatar
    Cody S

    RIGHTS?! youre going to talk to me about rights? our rights were givin to us by the same people who gave us laws. of course they wouldnt want us to break them. that would mean that we can think for ourselves and not be controlled. and, as we all know, government is a HIGHLY controlling disease that we need to rid ourselves of to continue moving forward.

  25. Mike Avatar

    So I should blindly follow laws, just because they are laws? That’s right Jon, buddy, just get in line. Don’t question things man. Big Brother says its bad, so it must be bad, and if we get caught doing it “it serves us right” whatever punishments the government has ready for us (e.g. years in prison for a few hours of altering my own person brain chemistry and not affecting or hurting anyone). But oh no! It’s a DRUG! Ah, the ‘D’ word. You can go back to your alcohol, your addictive caffeine, and cigarettes, just PLEASE don’t get involved with DRUGS. After all it will ruin your life, make you crazy, and then your doctor will have to prescribe you “medicine” like physically addicting anti-depressants. It also nice of you to acknowledge that “responsible adults” can use marijuana, yet you assume most of them are lower class and deserve to go to prison.

    Too bad you weren’t born in Nazi Germany some70 years ago so you could practice not questioning all the intelligent laws Hitler made. Sounds nice, after all, you’d have no right to say what the government was doing was wrong, and I mean, why would you? Big brother is never wrong man, you seem to know this.

    (Also big lol at LSD being “more detrimental” than salvia.)

  26. Mike Avatar

    So I should blindly follow laws, just because they are laws? That’s right Jon, buddy, just get in line. Don’t question things man. Big Brother says its bad, so it must be bad, and if we get caught doing it “it serves us right” whatever punishments the government has ready for us (e.g. years in prison for a few hours of altering my own person brain chemistry and not affecting or hurting anyone). But oh no! It’s a DRUG! Ah, the ‘D’ word. You can go back to your alcohol, your addictive caffeine, and cigarettes, just PLEASE don’t get involved with DRUGS. After all it will ruin your life, make you crazy, and then your doctor will have to prescribe you “medicine” like physically addicting anti-depressants. It also nice of you to acknowledge that “responsible adults” can use marijuana, yet you assume most of them are lower class and deserve to go to prison.

    Too bad you weren’t born in Nazi Germany some70 years ago so you could practice not questioning all the intelligent laws Hitler made. Sounds nice, after all, you’d have no right to say what the government was doing was wrong, and I mean, why would you? Big brother is never wrong man, you seem to know this.

    (Also big lol at LSD being “more detrimental” than salvia.)

  27. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Jon P thinks that LSD is detrimental.
    Jon P thinks that Meth and LSD produce around the same amount of harm.
    …Even though LSD is known and proven to be even more safe than Cannabis.

    I infer that Jon P is a very judgmental individual, and associates marijuana use with a trashy lifestyle.

    From that, we should know that he is not quite to the point of enlightenment. Therefore, we should all ignore him.

  28. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Jon P thinks that LSD is detrimental.
    Jon P thinks that Meth and LSD produce around the same amount of harm.
    …Even though LSD is known and proven to be even more safe than Cannabis.

    I infer that Jon P is a very judgmental individual, and associates marijuana use with a trashy lifestyle.

    From that, we should know that he is not quite to the point of enlightenment. Therefore, we should all ignore him.

  29. Michelle W Avatar
    Michelle W

    Jon P. I forgot people like you existed. Smoke a j and fuckin’ open your mind. Dear lord.

  30. Michelle W Avatar
    Michelle W

    Jon P. I forgot people like you existed. Smoke a j and fuckin’ open your mind. Dear lord.

  31. Michelle W Avatar
    Michelle W

    PS: I thought the modification was scarification. That’s what it looked like to me.

  32. Michelle W Avatar
    Michelle W

    PS: I thought the modification was scarification. That’s what it looked like to me.

  33. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Damn, reading back over my comments from a few years back, wht the fuck was I thinking?

  34. Jon P Avatar
    Jon P

    Damn, reading back over my comments from a few years back, wht the fuck was I thinking?

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Held by Hooks, and Each Other
    Facilitators and practitioners — the very people who bring so many suspensions to life — often pour their energy into others, quietly setting aside their own opportunities. Brenton and Brittany are one such example. Traveling all the way from Houston, TX, they came to the… Read more: Held by Hooks, and Each Other
  • When Tongue Piercings Meet Medicine
    In 2010, a German study was published involving subjects with tongue piercings. The tongue piercing was used as part of a device designed to relieve obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder affecting many individuals. Severely affected individuals may suffer from various long-term… Read more: When Tongue Piercings Meet Medicine
  • Suspended, Not Silenced
    There’s something undeniably powerful about watching someone working through the stages of suspension. We all build up ideas about ourselves—what we’re allowed to feel, how much we’re allowed to express, when it’s okay to break. For some, suspension is not about pushing physical limits its… Read more: Suspended, Not Silenced
  • A Nightbird’s Passage
    Some stories take their time, unfolding over decades, through life’s long detours and diversions. But dreams never rest until they’re fully realized. Even after 15 years, Robb knew there was still a suspension experience waiting for him. Something left unfinished, something essential. At the Ontario… Read more: A Nightbird’s Passage
  • What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
    First suspensions are rarely just about the body—they’re a meeting point between the physical and the deeply personal. Stepping into this experience isn’t simply about trying something new, but about stepping outside yourself to a version you had always sensed was waiting. I’ve had a… Read more: What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
  • 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