PR: REFUSE Art Show

Posted on November 5, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

The crew at Pure Body Artscordially invites you to its “REFUSE” art show. “REFUSE”showcases the work of nationally known, established artists of the bodymodification community who used refuse for their canvas. The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 19, 2005 at PURE, starting at7:00 p.m. and running to 11:00 p.m. While the exhibition will run until Saturday, December 17th, the first night promises to be a lot offun.

Some of the artists showing are Dan Martin ofScorpion Studios, Needlesof Last Rites, BrettOsborne of Pure, and EricMerrill of Hope Gallery. This event is open to the public, but IAM members please sign upon the Events page so that PURE can get a head count. Directions can be found here.

Weather permitting, this will be my third studio/gallery show in eleven months. I love going to these shindigs. Not only are they arare opportunity to get a good look at art I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to see, not only are they an opportunity to schmooze, theyare also an opportunity to take a peek at the portfolios of some of my favorite artists.

"To say that I consider Brian a friend would be an understatement, but to say that he's one of the best young Body Modification artists out there is just plain fact. Brian's commitment to his client's comfort, as well as his dedication to giving them a perfect modification experience puts him ahead of the pack. When I decided to have a facial scarification done, Brian's name was the first on my list. I look forward to seeing Brian and Pure Body Arts grow."
-- Shawn Porter

Need your 15 minutes of fame?

Posted on September 27, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

I’ve gotten a number of media requests lately, so I’m posting them all here. If I hear back that they’re filled, I’ll update this entry, although I don’t always hear back so if more than a week or two has passed, there’s probably no point in writing these folks. Oh, and if you write them, tell them that Shannon from BME told you about it.

From: Sunny Foscue Subject: Fear Factor
I am a Casting Director with NBC's "Fear Factor" and was wondering if youknew anyone for our upcoming "Freaks vs. Geeks" episode. The "Revenge of theTattooed Nerds" article was great, and I would love to get some of thosepeople on the show. We are looking for guy/girl "Nerd" Teams to compete against "Freak Teams". Iwould love to talk to you more about the show if you are interested inhelping me out. ... Anyone that you have I would love to interview. Theycan just send me their info along with a picture to my email and we will getthem set up. We are looking for super freaks! Thanks, Sunny Foscue [email protected]

Twwly mentions she’s looking for a few guys to hook up with her enticing friends for this show as well. Here’s another one. It’s definitely a fun little gig, I can’t give you more details publicly but if you’re in the NYC area, drop them a line. This is for filming tomorrow night.

From: [email protected] Subject: TV Show looking for one pierced person
Major cable network TV show is looking for a heavily pierced person (maleor female) who appears 18 to 22 for a new show taping in midtown NYC. Individual must be available for the show taping on the evening ofWednesday, September 28. If this is you, please email a photo and contactinfo to: [email protected] Participants will be compensated

Here’s an interesting project for a suspension group or suscon organizer…

From: Jamie Friddle Subject: Other Americans
I am researching eccentric communities and events in America for a pictorial essay titled Other Americans: underground . overground . off the grid. I am the team writer. We are in the middle of assembling a prototype for the book, as well as a proposal. You can read more about the project on our web site: www.otheramericans.com. I am writing you because I'm interested in profiling one of the suspension/ritual cons. We think the body modification community is unique and, though not solely American, it is worth investigating for inclusion in our book. The final project will have 12-15 groups ranging from "way of life" subcultures to extreme sports. Can you recommend a couple of suscons that occur annually? One of the subtexts of the book is that while old-school forms of community are slowly disintegrating, other forms of community, largely based on passions, are emerging. Best, Jamie Friddle, Writer [email protected] Other Americans www.otheramericans.com

And one last one:

From: [email protected] Subject: NYTimes writer looking for college students who got tat soon after getting to school and really freaked their parents out at Thanksgiving

Hey. I’m a NYTimes reporter writing a story on the conflict that tends to ensue between parents and “children” at freshman Thanksgiving break. For what it’s worth, I’ve got three tats and I used to have a naval piercing until my kid was born a few years ago. I remember all too vividly the shit that happened when I came home with my first tattoo — a black dahlia on my shoulder — at 18. I figure some current students have got to have some Thanksgiving horror stories.

[email protected].

Thanks
N

Good luck, and if you end up doing one of these projects, drop me a line!

Blair at Pure

Posted on August 28, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

It’s my old friend Blair‘s birthday and he’s decided to take a week or two off of busy life in Toronto and relax in the slow moving city of New York, New York. While he’s there, he’ll be doing some guest work at Brian‘s PURE Body Arts in Brooklyn.

If you don’t already know his name, Blair is not only a generally talented body piercer, scarification, and body modification practitioner, but he’s also one of the best traditional strike branding artists in the world with about a decade of experience in the medium… So if you’re in NYC and strike branding is something you’ve been looking fore, considering contacting him. He’s only there for the next week or so!

You can see some more of his work at his website, byblair.com.

All Grrl Suscon 2005

Posted on August 23, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

What happens when you fill a room with women aged 18 to 35, who don’t know each other? They’re from various countries and even more varied backgrounds. You might expect cliques. You might expect gossip. Maybe even a catfight? You’d be mistaken if you had these expectations at the All Grrl Suscon.

This all-female event was planned by Rachel (iam:tigertante) and Jill (iam:feisty) and was held in Toronto, Ontario, in Canada. I am occasionally asked to lend a hand at suspension conventions (I can fetch juice or water when needed, and the Jewish Mother in me really likes to help out). I drove 350 miles to get to my carpool, driven by Sarah (iam:Hehaditcomin). Joy (iam:the milkmaid) and Bumble (iam:BgirlyPrincapessa) drove thirteen hours one way. Angela (iam:AuntiePandora) traveled farther still, but she took the easy way, and flew in.

Several dozen women attended. Over a dozen women suspended. The room was so emotion- and endorphin-charged that we joked that, when the tenant returned to his office on Monday, he’d probably get his period. I only cried a few times, I think. I think. My friend Christine (iam:bonita80) went up for her second time, doing a “superwoman” for, from the moment the hooks started until she came down, about an hour and twenty minutes. I’d told her I’d hold her hand, but I don’t think she needed it. Just as well; I was crying and therefore pretty useless.


`The setup for Christine's suspension`	`Christine flew`

If you ever get the opportunity to attend an event like this, note the attention to sanitation and detail. The crews work at almost a surgical level. Because people who hang their friends from hooks must be stupid, dirty freaks, we tend to hold ourselves to a higher standard. Seriously, the crews’ stations look cleaner than a lot of doctors’ offices I’ve been in. I am genuinely proud, knowing that my friends know how people look at them, and they exceed standards.

We stayed until 7:00 p.m., but the suspensions continued until well past 1:00 a.m.

Our hostess, Caryn (iam:Dyzcordia), Sarah, Angela, Brittney, and I went for well-deserved sushi after we left the space. We were all still high from the events of the day, bouncing around, looking in shop windows, and enjoying life and the company of each other. Then Caryn stopped and pointed at a figurine of an angel in one of the shops.

“That was me.”

Photos from the women who attended are being added to BME’s Suspension Teams photo section.

An old friend introduced me to suspension. He recently passed away. He was in my mind all day. I have no desire to suspend, but I go for the energy of the people who attend. I feel obliged to help out since I’m not an otherwise active participant. My friend’s showing me this world was a gift that I’ll never be able to repay.

I put myself into financial debt to attend. I have blisters and a twisted ankle. (Note to self: don’t get pedicures before working; you need those callouses if you’re going to be on your feet!) My arms ache from driving. My car is making a clicky noise.

I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

TSD Show Tonight in Dallas

Posted on August 18, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

Tonight is the TSD Reunion Show in Dallas Texas (August 18th)! Come see their first show in almost five years!

It’s at The Church (2424 Swiss @ Good Latimer) as part of Odd Fest, and doors open at 9 PM. The show is 18 and up only. There’s a contest for the “Oddest People” with the winners getting both Ozzfest tickets and a contract with HVQ Agency.

DivX download link for BME members: Extreme2 or Full members

Thanks to Ron Garza for this old footage of Allen Falkner and Xeon throwing hooks into Mark Rose for the debut of their 360-suspension at EMOS in Austin, Texas (the piercings were done at True Blue Tattoo). Music in the clip is Los Gatos Locos, Someone’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight.

Grand Opening: PURE

Posted on August 12, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

PURE BODY ARTS
134 Boerum St.
Brooklyn, NY USA 11206
718 384 3377

Brian (iam:xPUREx), body piercer and modification artist extraordinaire, has finally followed the advice of his friends, going solo and opening his own shop in Brooklyn, New York. Brian’s name has become synonymous with quality body modification and impeccable attention to detail. In the years since I first met him (when he was working part-time as a piercer in Connecticut), his skill reputation has grown in leaps and bounds.

In the opening days it will be only Joy (iam:maat) and Brian. If everything goes as planned, in the next few weeks a gentleman named Brett (who tattooed the phenomenal leg sleeve of iam:turtle) will moving from Texas to join the crew, along with Monica Henk (iam:MalaSangre). Joy’s work was highlighted in the first entry of ModBlog.

I am the owner, but far from being a "boss". the shop will be very casually run, at least for now, to where everyone will have a say about anything that goes on. of course, I'll have the final word, but I can be pretty easily pressured.
How I chose these particular artists is a tough question. Beside Joy, who was originally going to partner with me until that fell through, the other artists just happened to fall into place. I've known monica for years. She's a great artist, and I really like her a lot.

As a strong drug free advocate, Brian got the word PURE tattooed in large letters across his lower back about eight years ago. When he first logged onto IAM, he decided to use PURE as his IAM username (xPUREx). People familiar with the modification industry began recognizing him by that name — and sometimes only that name — so when it was time to open his own place he couldn’t think of any other name that would be as suitable.

I asked Brian if there is a direct affiliation between Pure Body Arts and the Rites of Passage suspension group in which both he and Joy are heavily involved.

Even though Joy and I are both part of ROP, the shop has no affiliation other than all of my close, close friends being part of ROP and helping me out tremendously with the shop as well.

Because Brian is the professional here, I’ll let him tell you about the jewelry he’ll be using:

I did a LOT of homework and made orders with a large amount of companies for my jewelry. Namely Anatometal, Liquid Metal, AC Steel, Leroi, a little bit of Titanium from Cold Steel, and step-down external from Blue Mountain Steel. Those are for the basics. Starting display case jewelry from Death Star Organics, Glasswear Studios, and some novelty things from Steel Skin.

As a bit of a voyeur and as someone who is fond of both Brian and his long-time lady friend Caitlyn (iam:Angie Dickinson), I’ve been following the progress of the preparations for Pure Body Arts. I’ve read their blog entries in which Caitlyn designed the web page, drove Brian wherever he needed to be, and was just an all-around awesome friend to Brian and to his business. I didn’t want to let an opportunity pass by, and asked Brian if he had a few words to say about Caitlyn:

Caitlyn has helped me tremendously with everything. She did a LOT of driving for me, helped with building when she could, Loaned me things I'd need, gave me others, built my website, started building the shop website, designed my business cards, and loved me very much.

Pure can be reached via subway, taking the L train on the Montrose stop. Walk west on Montrose off the train, and hang a left onto Graham Avenue. You’ll find them on Boerum Street, on the corner at Graham. Also, the J, M, or Z train will take you to Lorimer where you can walk one block north and 2 blocks east on Boerum Street. Either way, it’s a 3 block walk. They are open from noon until 8:00 p.m. every day except Wednesdays.

So, there you have it. Pure Body Arts is now open for business. If you are considering piercing and modification or tattooing, do yourself a favor and add Pure to the list of studios you check. (I’d say, “If you’re in the area,” but Brian and Joy are worth a road trip.)

Oslo SusCon, Day Three

Posted on August 8, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

First, some more pictures from Allen Falkner from the 2005 Wings of Desire Oslo SusCon. These are from day three of the event:

For those of you who’ve never been to a suspension convention, they’re much more than just a bunch of people going so they can hang. Certainly that’s a central aspect, but I think more importantly it’s a gathering of friends and family.. and these days it’s also a travel experience — it’s not as if Oslo is in Rhode Island! Cere (from the NYC chapter of Rites of Passage) discovered some of the differences between home and Norway while talking to locals at a pub:

Smiling Norwegian:	It’s great that you love Oslo; is there anything that you want to see while you’re here?
Cere:	Well, actually a few of us would like to find a local strip club.
(The Norwegian is no longer smiling.)
Norwegian:	You like that kind of thing?
Cere:	Strip clubs? Well yeh, it’s naked girls… Who doesn’t like naked girls?
Norwegian:	Well I have respect for women!

At this point the Norwegian storms off, and his sentiments are echoed by the others in the pub. At a later party that night, Cere is offered a giant plate of cocaine as a welcoming gift.

Smiling Norwegian:	You like cocaine?
Cere:	Nah, I’m good… I don’t sniff, but thank you.
Norwegian:	You are an American though?
Cere:	Yeah, from New York.
Norwegian:	You lie!!! You are not an American if you do not want cocaine!

Ah stereotypes… America, a nation of strippers doing lines of coke off your cock.

I think Cere will enjoy SusCon: Red Light District in Amsterdam.

Allen Falkner straightens a 6ga hook

Posted on August 8, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

Cue Nelson: “HA HA”

DivX download link for BME members: Extreme2 or Full members

The critical moment is about 1:20 into the clip.

Oslo SusCon

Posted on August 6, 2005 by Shannon Larratt

Thanks to Allen of suspension.org for sending us some snapshots from this year’s WINGS OF DESIRE Oslo SusCon, going on right now. There’s actually a solid representation of American enthusiasts over there this year… I should have more for you soon (and of course lots on BME later)!

Oh, and to those of you who have been asking for an RSS feed for this blog — I don’t have one yet because I still have to write the code that outputs it, but I’ll try and get that added some time over the next week as we finalize the way this thing is going to run.