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

Mentawai Beautification

Written by

Shannon Larratt

I am totally jonesing for the release of photographer and roaming explorer Lars Krutak’s new book “Spiritual Skin: Magical Tattoos and Scarification” to come out on Edition Reuss this September. Here’s another image to tease you into the same anticipation as I feel, from his 2007 visit with the the Mentawai, whose beautification includes not just the “titi” (their word for tattoos), but also sharpened teeth… You’d think sharpened teeth would look monstrous and frightening, but with a big happy grin like she has, they actually look terrifically friendly!

mentawau-by-lars-krutak

Comments

2 responses to “Mentawai Beautification”

  1. Phendraana Avatar
    Phendraana

    Oooh, I love sharpened teeth! My canines on both top & bottom have always been elongated & sharp, like to the point where multiple people have asked me if I’m wearing halloween fangs. I was inspired to sharpen my second incisors when I was 14 or 15 after seeing Interview With a Vampire, lol. Silly reason at the time, but they look awesome and I’ve never regretted it 😀

  2. Phendraana Avatar
    Phendraana

    Oooh, I love sharpened teeth! My canines on both top & bottom have always been elongated & sharp, like to the point where multiple people have asked me if I’m wearing halloween fangs. I was inspired to sharpen my second incisors when I was 14 or 15 after seeing Interview With a Vampire, lol. Silly reason at the time, but they look awesome and I’ve never regretted it 😀

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