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.

Tag: Scarification

  • When animals attack, grow some gills and swim away

    Written by

    Sean Philips

    In recent years, most of the scarification pieces I have seen have been pictures of something. For instance, recently on modblog Rob featured a Game Boy and a BME Heart Logo.  Those type of scars are cool and all, but there is something purely primal to me about a scar that doesn’t explain itself so easily.

    Take for instance this piece. First off, to those outside of the body mod world, this probably looks like some sort of accident or injury. With it’s jagged edges and general randomness, I can see where they would get that idea.

    134497533542fdeb88d7ba96269b2214_jpg_550x450_first-0_second-3_watermark_q85

    As it heals, it turns from looking like a wild animal attack to looking like the wearer has a set of gills.

    For a healed pick and a little more Sean rambling, keep on keeping on.

    Was having a faux animal attack the goal? Or was she looking to have a set of gills to allow her to breathe underwater. Only she can answer that for sure, but I like the fact it is left open to interpretation.

    adf4470f75a9c62011c807f2f468747d_jpg_550x450_first-0_second-3_watermark_q85

  • A stitch in time

    Written by

    Rob

    Surface weaving is an interesting form of modification.  Originally the term was applied to larger pieces of jewelry the wove its way through the surface of the skin.  Recent additions to the surface weaving gallery on the other hand have taken on an artistic flair, with the weaves being done with various flexible materials to create a design that is meant to be temporary modification, much like corseting is done for photo shoots.

    Today, we’re taking a look at a surface weave that initially appears to be a temporary show piece, but in the end it turns into a unique way to craft a scar.  Orrnahitsn sent in these photos of the work by Kim Hutchinson (Skin Seamstress).

    Fresh

    So this is the weave right after it was completed.

    Keep reading to see how this was transformed into a scar.

    2 weeks

    After 2 weeks you can see that some of the weaves have broken through the skin, but it is still maintaining the shape.

    Days later

    Just a couple of days later, even more of the seams have broken and the ones that haven’t appear to be irritated and possibly rejecting.

    4 months

    Finally, after four months, the weave is gone, but what remains is a scar that was created in an interesting manner.

  • A beak that just won’t quit

    Written by

    Sean Philips

    Ryan Oullette, sent me this picture of a cutting he did. At first glance I thought it was a plague doctor, but when I opened the picture, I realized it was a far less grim image. In either case, it’s an excellent piece by one of the best scarification artist around.

    mail

  • Life, liberty, and the pursuit of modification

    Written by

    Rob

    The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.

    –Thomas Jefferson

    Now, when it comes to quotes from the founding fathers, there’s always room for interpretation.  Context is always key, which is something that tends to be forgotten in today’s political climate.  One thing is definite, the line about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, was a notion that at its core is a positive one.  Now people can debate until they’re blue in the face about how those ideals should be met, and what the original intentions behind them were, but if you were to just take the statement on its own, it certainly is applicable to the modified community.  For the most part, all any of us want is to be able to express ourselves in any way we see fit.  It just so happens that it involves modifying the physical body, as opposed to making a statement in a letter or painting a picture.

    Recently Brian performed this blended scarification and branding piece on one of his clients.  With the choice of the word liberty as the focus of the piece, the owner is showing off just how she is able to exercise her free will, and take control of her own body in a way she sees fit.

    liberty

    As to whether the owner got this scar/brand with the famous words in mind, only she will ever know.  As observers we can just sit back and interpret it however we see fit, which is exactly what the philosophy of liberty allows us to do.

    You can get a closer look at this piece in the Brian Decker gallery, and if you’re so inclined, feel free to leave a comment on the photo.  If you’re logged into your BME account you can add a comment to any image in the galleries.

  • Remember when 80′s hair bands toured the world to spread glam and STD’s….

    Written by

    Sean Philips

    ……this is like that, except  less glamorous, and without the disease transmission.

    Ron Garza, as I have mentioned in previous post, LIVES body modification. He often travels the world to personally experience  the other cultures rituals and body modification practices. Currently though, he is out on tour not to experience things for himself but to help others have their own experiences and to spread his knowledge.

    1iskzqrb

    Ron has 2 days still open in Prague and  some appts. left in Croatia also, where he will be teaching as well.
    He will also be teaching in Mexcio city APP also and taking scar appointments in Mexico City as well. If your in any of these areas and want to take some of his classes, get cut or just shoot the shit with a guy who lives for body modification, definitely hit him up.

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News