This post is on the BDSM Activism web board.
| Fri 23 Jun 06, 6:51 PM Esinem UK(SE), 12 yrs  |
After recently emailing the Arts Editors at Time Out to see if they would cover any attempts to move Shibari into the arena of performance art, I received the most incredibly bigoted reply. I would have expected better from Time Out. Judge for yourselves from our exchange:
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Hi We are hoping to put on unique live 'showcase' performance art events featuring Shibari/Kinbaku. Shibari/Kinbaku is Japanese rope art and features beautiful bindings and balletic suspensions. It has its roots in the ancient and secretive martial art of the Hojojutsu, which dates from the Edo period of the 1600's. Rope has a special place in Japanese culture as a primary tool, whilst binding and the control of nature are also very fundamental to their culture (Bonsai, Kimono bindings etc.). In recent decades, it has been performed for select audiences, in Japan, on a scene that is only just beginning to emerge from the underground into contemporary performance art. Go Arisue, one of the world's top nawashi (rope artists), is one of the leading figures in this mission to forge a place for his art is this area. We also hope to put on perfomances by Go, who has never publically performed outside Japan. I was priveleged to host his only private performance abroad. Quite recently, Sam Taylor-Wood exhibited a series of photographs (http://www.matthewmarks.com/index.php?n=2&c=8&e=... models suspended using Shibari techniques, but with the ropes Photoshopped out. Kate Moss has also featured in Vogue, I think it was, bound Shibari-style. In July, I and another rope artist, will involved in a performance with James O'Shea (the amputee dancer with CanDoCo) and another model to music from Uniform at the Notting Hill Arts Club. The picture below (2 tasteful pics from my Japanese themed shoot with kimono'ed model were attached) shows the sort of performance we would like to put on. Do you think this is something that you might like to run a piece on? Would you be able to, at least, put in a listing for us for the Notting Hill Arts gig or our proposed showcase performance? I look forward to your response. Please call me if you have any questions. Bruce Argue -----Original Message----- From: Sarah Kent [mailto:sarahkent@timeout.com] Sent: 06 June 2006 13:02 To: Esinem Subject: Re: Unique performance art event Funny how its naked women that always get tied up. How does this relate to foot binding I wonder and to the enslavement of women in Japan in the past. I find it repulsive. Yours, Sarah Kent MY REPLY: I find your reaction extraordinary and misinformed. No, not it's always women and...erh, she's wearing a kimono, not naked. For example, this picture is one of a series Ulli Richter shot with a male dancer. (I attached a picture of bound male feet) I think you misunderstand as it has nothing to do with enslavement. On the contrary, it is very much a two-way exchange. I would be happy to provide you with information upon which to make an informed judgement. Furthermore, it doesn't relate to the repulsive practice of foot-binding in any way, as this was a Chinese practice (qv http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_binding). ___________________________________________________ __ It beggars belief! This is what we are up against. A switch never gets the wrong end of the stick | |
| 23 Jun 06, 6:58 PM demolitionred 6 yrs |
How bananas. They did a Time Out Special on perverted London. You should have pointed out both genders are riggers, pointing to work of people like Ellie. And that women get great pleasure and release form the experience. | |
| 23 Jun 06, 6:59 PM demolitionred 6 yrs |
should we write to the editor and complain? | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:03 PM TailsLondon UK(SW), 6 yrs  |
She has no problem with nudity:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0863160816/ref=... Just female nudity I like the fact that Richard Kern has this review by her on his website. http://www.richardkern.com/about/press/reviews/t... I think Sewell summed her up well: "I have made several wills, ... all of them the precautionary wills ... Even on the night before my rib-cage was sawn open and my heart re-plumbed I was prepared to make a joke and bequeathed my eyes to Sarah Kent, the gushing art critic of Time Out, who is not blind but cannot see." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Kent
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| 23 Jun 06, 7:03 PM Ariane 7 yrs |
Yes. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:08 PM TailsLondon UK(SW), 6 yrs |
http://www.timeout.com/london/features/print/238... Look at number 97 It seems they can sell issues on sex and hype it all up, but aren't willing to treat it seriously. T | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:09 PM HisHoliness UK(KT), 6 yrs |
That is quite extraordinary. I'm not too familiar with TO, but that has really surprised me. Even if it had been for the wrong reasons (i.e titilation, exposee etc) i would have expected them to enquire further and want more info. Editors are usually gagging for the more unusal copy. Do keep us posted on events if you hear any more. severin of Harrow | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:11 PM Cuddly_Tiger UK, 6 yrs |
She's a supporter of Tracey Emin, Nuff said I think.
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| 23 Jun 06, 7:14 PM Ariane 7 yrs |
Easy solution really, get a good male sub wrapped up and offer him for copy. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~ Maya Angelou | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:18 PM Esinem UK(SE), 12 yrs |
I would have thought, at least, a polite reply would have been appropriate, even if it is "This is not the sort of event which we would wish to list". I tried writing to the other editor but got no reply: --------------------------------------------------- ---- Hi Helen I am mailing you as Sarah seems to have the wrong end of the stick entirely (see her email and my reply below) and I didn't get a response to my original mail to you. Can you explain Sarah's reaction? If it is a feminist reaction, I understand her reacting strongly to something which she perceives, incorrectly, as an affront to these principles. Anyway, she is preaching to the converted as we are supporters of the cause, albeit in a more post-modern manner. The Notting Hill Arts Club event will involve the music of Uniform (their recent album, Protocol, on which Franko B collaborated) and a woman binding James O'Shea, the amputee dancer, who is part of CanDoCo. Pictured below. I will also be binding a second model, who will be 'sexuallly neutral', sex/gender to be decided. The performance will contrast the incredible 'ability' of the stereo-typically 'dis-abled' body through movement whilst suspended in ropes, with the 'dis-ability' of an able-bodied person who is 'dis-abled' by the ropes. I wonder whether you would be interested in listing and previewing/reviewing this event? Regards Bruce A switch never gets the wrong end of the stick | |
| 23 Jun 06, 7:18 PM strictlynormal UK, 6 yrs |
Sadly I think that would merely pander to her blatant sexism ================================== |
