BME: Body Modification Ezine

A tattooed person suspends from hooks, laying flat, one leg higher than the other. Their head is back, and they seem to be smiling, dark hair dangling like an anime character.

Celebrating body modification culture since 1994.

Author: Shannon Larratt

  • Role Reversal

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    I have to admit that my friend Lane‘s new photoshoot (with Candice — who did the makeup — and Cody) bothers me a little because the whole subject is so sensitive to me. He explains what he was going for,

    I wanted to do a shoot showing the viewer what the world may look like today if men had evolved being the home makers, wearing dresses, makeup, and being the submissive ones and women where the dominant figures. Then domestic violence for the most part may have a very different outcome. I may do a series focusing on reversed roles.

    For me there are a few subjects that I feel uncomfortable using even in an art context (not that I think other people should shy from using anything — this is just how I feel)… Domestic violence, child abuse, rape, and other crimes of consent really get to me for some reason.

    lane-violence.jpg

  • The World Is Beautiful

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    In April of last year, on her 18th birthday, Alyssa got “Die Welt ist Schön” tattooed on her foot by Sue at Regeneration in Allston, MA. This is the title of Albert Renger-Patzsch‘s second collection of photography which focuses on the beauty found in the ordinary.

    I hoped that it would serve as a reminder to myself to continue to see the beauty in the world even when I ceased to be so happy. Two months went by, my life spiraled out of control, and my tattoo faded almost completely away. In early July I had an abortion. The next day I went with a friend to Skin Graff Tattoo in Worcester, MA to sit with her while she got her half sleeve done. The guys at the shop joked about the chicken scratch tattoo on my foot and asked when I’d get it redone and I’d joke back, “oh, I’ll do it when I have money” but I had no real intention of ever fixing it. To me it meant something that the words which I had loved so dearly for years were literally disappearing as I spiraled downward.

    Then, Ja Woek called me over to the bench he had set up, which I thought was for someone else, and he completely re-did my tattoo, effectively giving me a cover up. “I didn’t say anything about money,” he smiled.

    He reminded me of what I had loved so much about the words. The day after one of the most traumatizing experience of my life came one of the best. Now when I look down, the words have a history that goes beyond what I ever thought they would.

    I think this also illustrates just how far a little bit of kindness goes, and how much small, symbolic acts can profoundly affect a person’s life.

    alyssa.jpg

  • Feel No Shame When None Is Due

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Jef was open enough to share the story behind his brave chestscript,

    I was sexually abused as a child. Growing up I knew only shame, for any and all my actions. I did this after a month or so of reflection on a conversation I had with a beautiful dancer I met while doing something I shouldn’t have been. We shared somewhat mutual stories, and as the conversation progressed, she impressed upon me the idea of shameless, a complete anathema to how I’ve lived for years and years. I had decided to get it as a reminder that others — and therefore myself — are able to live life feeling no shame where shame is not due. Every day it serves as a reminder that I am not responsible for what happened to me, and a motivator to continue my healing.

    jef-shameless.jpg

  • “Milpool” Tattoo

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Oh my God I love this!!! Meaghan was getting her chestpiece touched up recently, and she was chatting with her artist about things that would be funny tattoos. And, as often happens in these situations, a spur of the moment tattoo ensued…

    Being a big Simpsons fan, I mentioned the episode “Bart of Darkness,” where Bart breaks his leg and Milhouse signs his cast “Milpool” and runs off to go swimming. We were both laughing so hard about it that I insisted on getting it tattooed on me there and then. Now, every time I look at it, I crack up.

    Definitely one of the more obscure Simpsons tattoos out there… But Caitlin and I — who both got a laugh when this popped up on my screen yesterday — agree; very funny.

    meaghan-milpool.jpg

  • Autopsy-Pattern Microdermals

    Written by

    Shannon Larratt

    Yelena’s done a major microdermal project (“pretty much splitting me in half with microdermals,” she says) in which thirteen of them have been laid out along what could be an autopsy scar. They were placed by Evan at Church of Steel, San Diego, CA.

    yelena.jpg

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