For more information on suspension visit – http://www.suspension.org/

“I try to remove bricks off the wall of society. In my lifetime, I will probably remove one brick from that wall, and that’s the whole point of this.“  -Steve Joyner

Trying to write about Constructs of Ritual Evolution, or CoRE as you might know them, may be one of the most challenging subjects I have taken on. I think a lot of that comes from the fact that what they are doing on stage is more about what you personally take away from it than anything else. It’s emotion; it is about making you think. The beautiful pictures here can’t begin to do justice to watching the real thing, and no amount of words could tell you what you would experience seeing it in person. I’m just here to tell you who they are and what they do. As for the rest… Well, you would just have to see them yourself to figure that one out.

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I doubt this redheaded bombshell needs any introduction to our readers. Being given the title ‘Suspension Queen’ is a pretty big role to fill, but Miss Crash wears the crown well. These photographs taken by Luke Brereton back in 2008 at the Chicago Tattoo Convention are a perfect example of how she earns her spot as suspension royalty.

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This article is very, very late, especially for an event that is next weekend, but what can I say?  The world of a Hook Life writer is a busy one.  Next weekend, September 16-19, Body Modification Exchange Network is hosting their yearly conference in Berlin featuring seminars and workshops spanning the gamut of Body Modification professions.

So, what exactly is BMXnet?  I think it’s best said in their own words: “Since our foundation in 2007 already 435 professional Piercers, Tattooists and Body Modders (update July 21st 2010) became member of BMXnet and more than 450 were attending one or more of our 3 conferences. For all statistics and numbers that we know that makes BMXnet the biggest European association of the industry and therefore we want to thank all members for their support and hard work for our common goals – may the network keep growing!”

We would like to make note that Christiane Løfblad from Wings of Desire Suspension team is also working as an instructor for body suspension workshop.  She is definitely a crucial part of the class and huge contributor to our community.

As many of you may remember, last month a copy of Obsolete Body was auctioned off on Ebay.  The proceeds of which were donated to Arwen and his family to help with his recovery and medical bills.  See the Car Accident blog for more details. What you may not know is that high bidder and winner of the book is our very own Adam Callen from BodyMod.org.  Thank you Adam for helping our family in times and need AND thank you for being a huge supporter of Hook Life.

The custom rig in the photo above was manufactured by Skin Mechanics Steelworks.  After the break more photos of SMS’s custom rigs. Photos below by Rancid Rhandi

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Coming to the Bora Bora Club in Oklahoma City Saturday October 9th – The Captains Halloween Massacre featuring Live Suspensions by S.B.S, Aztlan Arts, and A.G.R.O with local bands One Gun Solution, Parasomnia, and From Native America. This early Halloween event will be hosting a costume contest with giveaways from Sick Boyz Body Piercing. Plus part of the proceeds go to Spliff and his Family. If you are in the OKC area, come on out and support your local hookers.

If there’s one thing the suspension community has lacked over the years it’s been good video documentation.  Back in the 90′s there were some amazing suspensions happening but the technology to capture and edit just wasn’t anything like it is today.  Thankfully now with digital recording devices and internet broadcast services like Vimeo we can all share in some amazing performances no matter where they might happen around the world.

This next piece, from our friends A Sangre Fria, (You might remember them from the Drum Parade post) was a performance done for MADATAC, the Madrid Festival of Contemporary Audio-Visual Arts (Muestra Abierta de Arte Audiovisual Contemporáneo).  The site describes the film as unsettling, but we believe nothing could be further from the truth.

Pasión Suspensión from A Sangre Fria Body Art on Vimeo.

From the MADATAC site: “Unsettling audio visual performance art by A SANGRE FRIA (In Cold Blood), together with a live cinema session performed by members of INSTITUTO HUMANO AUDIOVISUAL. (Estado Avanzado, Errorvision, Die! Goldstein!).“

Flesh pulls, or energy pulls if you prefer, are something that always seem to get mixed reviews. For some people, keeping your feet on the ground just isn’t the goal. For others, having control over the intensity and pace of what you are doing can make it much more relaxed than actually suspending. That, combined with the  pleasure of working together to share in that moment, can make for such a wonderful experience. I can’t think of a better example of two people captured in that moment than these photos of Sara and Jen on their wedding day.

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When the thought of flesh hooks come to mind one rarely thinks grace or poise, but how else can you describe this next set of photos.  Is it the fact that Samar always looks so confident and comfortable when she hangs?  Possibly it’s Daniel Riedel‘s lighting and composure that makes these shots so amazing.  Actually, it’s a combination of their talents and much more.  I think Daniel says it best…

From the photographer: “I have to say this shoot with Samar is one of the best shoots yet in my career. It was fun to work with such a good group of people. Everyone did an amazing job pitching in to make this a success. The patience of our audience and the diligence of our piercers made this a very successful endeavor. Not to mention the ultimately brilliant and beautiful Samar that is always the star of the show.”

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Back in April of 2009, during the Dallas Suspension Convention,  a young woman named Genne Laakso stepped out of the shadows and made a huge impression on even the most seasoned members of our community.  The device/jewelry/art instillation she was wearing that day was the same that you see below.  She calls it Promenading In Elation. We simply call it breathtaking.

Promenading In Elation
Fish Hooks, Copper, Nitrile O-Rings, Latex, Fishing Line, Tungsten Fish Weights

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It seems that I had a few people who wanted to cast a vote on their favorite suspension after the resurrection article was posted. I am starting to think I may be drastically outnumbered by my friends who love knee suspensions more. Well, who am I to argue? You asked for it, and here it is.

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