May 2nd – June 8th, 2013

LONDON
Michael Hoppen Gallery
3 Jubilee Place SW3 3TD

Coinciding with the release of Taschen’s limited edition publication Nobuyoshi Araki.Bondage, a brief selection of the provocative Japanese photographer’s vast portfolio presents his portrayal of kinbaku, ‘the beauty of tight binding’.

‘Women? Well, they are gods. They will always fascinate me. As for rope, I always have it with me. Even when I forget my film, the rope is always in my bag. Since I can’t tie their hearts up, I tie their bodies up instead’

Often citing the erotic nature of his work as outside of the conventions of his conservative culture, the images are pointedly presented alongside 19th Century shunga woodcut prints – the original form of mass produced erotica and part of the Ukiyo-e pictures of the floating world , Japan’s Edo period pleasure quarters – and allusion to the practice’s early conception with delicate floral still life images.

and Veruschka’s 1971 Playboy spread

Viva was a magazine for women that celebrated female sexuality  and was published by Penthouse from 1973 to 1980. Varying from highly romanticised, emmanuelle-esque editorials tailored to women’s fantasies to in depth articles examining the female orgasm and erotic literature, the magazine excelled in delivering the desires of women to a wider public. For a short time Anna Wintour was the fashion editor who often roped in Helmut Newton to photograph for them. You can look through copies of VFILES here.

A Re-blog from Sang Bleu 6 contributor Esinem’s blog exploring the reasons behind why people participate in bondage.

Redress of physical power

Bondage alters the balance of power. A stronger partner can be rendered helpless, which in itself can be an unusual and charged experience. A naturally active individual rendered passive or vice versa. This also opens up new horizons of tactile, emotional, sensual and imaginative possibilities. If I were to select one reason for introducing bondage into an otherwise ‘vanilla’ relationship, this would probably be it. Don’t underestimate how unique and powerful this experience can be first time round.

Expiation of guilt

Many of us, especially women, are brought up with the idea of guilt in relation to sex or, at the very least, in relation to certain acts or behaviour: The “nice girls don’t do that” mentality. Bondage can be used to expiate this guilt by providing the convenient excuse of being tied up and thus ‘unable’ to resist, safe word not withstanding. Thus, the social restraints are removed: Freedom through bondage!

Security

The ropes can hug the body like a lover’s embrace creating a feeling that is secure and comforting. Often, once the more constraining bondage has been removed, the sub will be reluctant to relinquish the body harness.

Erotic effects

The ropes can be used to caress, during tying or untying, when they are drawn across the body and, in particular, the more sensitive areas. It can be used to cover the whole spectrum from pleasure to pain. Frayed ends of ropes can be used to stroke and tickle. One or more strands of rope can provide quite an effective makeshift whip.
Breast and genital bondage increases sensitivity, to pleasure and pain, by pulling the skin tight. It also tends to present the target of your attentions quite prominently and conveniently.

The placement of knots can cause direct stimulation of the clitoris, perineum, anus etc. This occurs either through simple pressure or through movement. Gently twisting, pulling or tapping on strategic ropes allows you to provide your own input. You’ll soon notice which particular knots are favourites to struggle against. Applying a vibrator to the ropes or knots can really boost the effect. The surprise is that using a vibrator on seemingly innocuous places can have dramatic results, since rope transmits vibration extremely well.

Meditation & relaxation

The experience can be very meditative. This can be deepened if the sub and Dom take time to connect by quietly embracing, relaxing and synchronising breathing. Meditative techniques can be used. A good scene will engender a close connection between Dom and sub.

We are accustomed to being able to gesticulate or scratch our own itches. Not being able to move is an unusual experience for most of us. It concentrates the mind in a unique manner.

It is not uncommon for a sub to be in a very dreamy and relaxed state after a session, termed as ‘rope stoned’ or sub-spaced. I have often been told that a bondage session is very relaxing and de-stressing.

Beauty

Rope bondage, especially the Japanese form, Shibari, can be considered an art form. It can accentuate the beauty of the human body. The results can be stunning, a fact appreciated not only by the Dom and sub, but also by any spectators.

Submission

Bondage and submission are naturally complimentary. Being tied and helpless at the hands of the Dom adds edge to the play and is highly symbolic of submission. The sense of being made to feel exposed and available is particularly acute in positions such as open leg ties.

Like most areas of BDSM, the exercise requires a sufficient level of trust. In fact, since you are allowing yourself to be rendered powerless to resist, more trust than is required for most activities. One of the benefits of BDSM games is that they help develop deeper levels of trust with your partner.

The bondage itself can be used as a tool of control. The rope, particularly junctions or knots on the back and chest, can make great ‘handles’ that allow a sub to be controlled in a very dominant manner. It can also be used as a lead. When a pole is used to tie wrists and ankles open leg style, it can be used to (carefully) flip a person from seated to a very vulnerable bottom in the air position.

The effect of being tied in an unbalanced position, whilst still being supported securely from above by a safety rope, can be quite psychologically dramatic, especially if blindfolded.

Fetishism & role-playing

For many, the kick is in the fetishistic appeal of their chosen method of restraint. For example, body bags, straight-jackets or chastity devices.
It is also key to much role-play. After all, without some form of restraint many games, e.g. prisoner or kidnap scenarios, would be missing the major element and what fun would that be? Of course, appropriate restraints can themselves be important in creating the fantasy.

SM

Bondage can be a prelude to or as a facilitator of SM play, rather than an end in it’s own right. However, it can also be used to inflict discomfort, both physically and mentally, e.g. uncomfortable or humiliating positions.
Challenge and escape

There is also something that appeals to the Houdini in many people, the challenge and struggle in attempting to escape. Jim Stewart, author and founder of Fetters, is a great proponent of this aspect of restraint games. In his book ‘I like to get tied up – so what?’, he explores a wide range of scenarios and ingenious restraints, including modified motorcycle clothing and diving equipment. Many of his games involve endurance and are psychologically challenging, e.g. kidnap, military interrogation, some are even competitive.

Many aficionados find the struggle against their restraints highly erotic, but for others it is simply a game for grown-ups.

Summary

To sum up, there are many things that can be got from bondage. Not all of them will rock your boat. However, I hope that you will see that there are many possibilities and even the simplest bondage can change the sexual and psychological dynamics.

You can have a look at the rest of Esinem’s website here

The London Festival of the Art of Japanese Rope Bondage presents kinbaku (aka shibari/Japanese rope bondage) as an artistic inspiration, a performance art in its own right and as a means of erotic communication, whilst sharing knowledge about it and its cultural context in a way that is accessible to all. We present an unparalleled range of talent from around the world and it is rapidly establishing a reputation as the Japanese bondage event. It includes:

• Kinbaku inspired art, photography and design
• Presentations, classes and workshops by world renowned experts
• Music, movies and videos
• Performances and demonstrations
• Japanese food and drink

The main venue will be the Resistance Gallery. This is an unique, multi-functional, modern, 2,200sq ft arts, performance & gallery space in the creative heart of Bethnal Green, London E2. It provides art exhibition space, theater, avant-garde gatherings, cabaret, photographic shoots, filming & video location, live music events, multi media installation experiences, workshops etc.

The festival started on the 1st of October and carries on until the 8th. For more information about tickets before the festival finishes look here

You can also look at the timetable of events for the festival here

265 Poyser Street

Bethnal Green

London E2 9RF.

http://www.japaneseropebondage.co.uk/

William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Dante And Virgil In Hell, 1850.