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

  • Lukas Zpira Update

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Old BME favorite Lukas Zpira has recently begun a blog at (which lukaszpira.com currently redirects to) to keep his fans updated, adding to his large repetoire of websites including Hacking The Future and The Chaos Chronicles. But one of my favorites by far of his recent projects is Danse Neurale — here is the flyer:

    danse-neurale

    I like that tagline a lot — and of course am 100% on side with the idea that there is a reality that we can reach only through the intellect, not only with the senses. And really, as the son of a mathematician and engineer, how could I feel any differently? In any case, you must watch the video if you haven’t already — it’s a performance in which Lukas is tied to a breathing mic and a heart monitor, so it’s very easy to get intimately connected to the ritual, especially if you have some hands-on experience yourself. Watch it right through too, because it ends with some interesting interview material.

  • Bloody Sea Dragon

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Brian Decker (purebodyarts.com) who did this scarification, admits that he didn’t know what a Leafy Sea Dragon was before doing the cutting, so I think I’ll use this as an excuse to tell you because it’s really a remarkable creature. It’s very much like a sea horse, which is a type of sea horse that hides with it’s extreme anatomical camouflage, drifting peacefully among plants that it looks very much like. It moves using two tiny and almost transparent fins, one on its neck and one near the tail, with the rest waving in the breeze as if they were vegetation. To survive it sucks up tiny shrimp, plankton, and larval fish through its anteater-like snout. It’s flamboyant yet serene body makes it a perfect image to capture in body art. I got to see them in person at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium when Barry of Anatometal took us, if memory serves, and they’re quite wonderful.

    Above the scar by Brian, and below, the amazing lifeform it mimics.

    leafy-sea-dragon-scar

    leafy-sea-dragon

  • , ,

    Dotwork Scarification

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I shared this tattoo when I posted a gallery of Iestyn Flye’s work on ModBlog (click here if you don’t remember — it is in regards to the scarification seminar he and Ron Garza are hosting that you don’t want to miss if you’re a London-area professional in the field), but I also wanted I’ll just share this wider shot of Dom here, because I also really like her dotwork scars. I can imagine an entire body done in these, and have seen such things in Africa of course, but not as often in a “modern” context. Beautiful work.

    dotwork

    PS. Ignore the “smartphone” on the picture, it is only of use if you’re trying to track her down on Facebook!

  • The Beast Within

    Written by

    Rob

    As some of you know, the artists at Tattoo Temple follow a philosophy that shop owner Joey Pang created.  The idea is that they’re not just creating art, but rather they’re creating permanent clothes.  By following that principle, all the tattoos that are done there are specifically tailored (much like a fine suit) to fit the wearer’s body.  Take this lion that Wang created.  Not only is it exquisitely done, it also fits his body perfectly, which creates an image that feels like it was always there, just waiting for Wang to bring it out.

  • Calf Suspension From Chains

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Joe Wythe (of Factotum Body Modification) admits that this is “not the best rigging”, but the cenobites beg to differ!

    calf-suspend

  • Mean Green Machine Adverts

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    This photograph of Polish piercer Kamil at work is superb — a great choice for this ad poster for Mean Green Machine, the Zabrze tattoo shop that he works at (which can also be found online at www.meangreenmachine.pl. The second photo, this one promoting their tattooists, is stunning as well. I wouldn’t normally just reprint ads here, but for these beauties I think it’s worth making an exception. You can of course click them to see them full size.

    meangreenmachine2

    meangreenmachine1

  • NOT a new fashion trend

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I had thought that the only piercing that significantly alters a person’s facial expressions are big stretched lip piercings, because they alter the base shape of the mouth by pushing the lips into a different default form. A big labret can make a frown, or two off-centre labrets can make a funny smirk. But JJ proves that my thinking is too shallow, offering up the evidence that even a septum piercing can give you a new introductory expression. Unfortunately it’s not a good one, and it gives you a bit of a dry mouth.

    jj

  • Teya

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Stunning fashion photo of Teya Salat of St. Petersburg, Russia and her incredible throat and collar tattoo that really brings out that “Madonna with the Long Neck” beauty. Just a sensation photo merging a very bold and over-the-top tattoo with traditional beauty that people would swoon over no matter the cultural bias or point in history.

    teya-salat

  • Can you see it?

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Man, I have a sore neck now.

    can-you-bme

  • You can’t out-monster a little monster

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I have such a soft spot for pictures like this (in this case you surely recognize Pineapple Tangaroa of Shaman in Austin, Texas). Anyway, I’m done for tonight since it was a very long day (and while I do love my readers dearly, I’m afraid my family must come first) and I’m really not up to speed on this format… I have a daunting pile of things I want to show you but I’m still learning how to make my fingers move fast enough to make it happen at a reasonable pace.

    tat3