True Blood

Rating:
Summary: Gray line defining art...
Review: As member of the BDSM society for a decade now, I find that I am quite liberal in my definitions of what art is. This however is one of those titles that, while I understand blood play and its appeal, seems to linger in that gray area. Gatewood is a brilliant photographer, but I seriously warn you: THIS IS NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!!!! Plus, I feel that a small section should have been devoted to safety issues dealing w/ blood play; it is not for the amatuer BDSM'er....but rather one of the MOST extreme of "Extreme Play"s. If serious blood play is your thing, check this book out; if you are just curious...be warned.

Rating:
Summary: Gray line defining art...
Review: I loved this book. I'd wanted to read it since I first heard mention of it in Carpe Noctem years earlier. I finally picked up a copy a couple weeks ago, and I love it. It's a very interesting look at the bloodplay scene, with some truly breathtaking photography (much of which is in full color, to warn the squeamish). David Aaron Clark has supplied very lush and meditative erotic text to supplement the photos, and together they create a sort of poetry beyond the "taboo" nature of the subject matter. It's a great book because it is both beautiful and decadent, and never as "shocking" as it is intensely, profoundly human. Another score for these talented artists.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, disturbing & beautiful
Review: I loved this book. I'd wanted to read it since I first heard mention of it in Carpe Noctem years earlier. I finally picked up a copy a couple weeks ago, and I love it. It's a very interesting look at the bloodplay scene, with some truly breathtaking photography (much of which is in full color, to warn the squeamish). David Aaron Clark has supplied very lush and meditative erotic text to supplement the photos, and together they create a sort of poetry beyond the "taboo" nature of the subject matter. It's a great book because it is both beautiful and decadent, and never as "shocking" as it is intensely, profoundly human. Another score for these talented artists.

Rating:
Summary: What you dismiss compells you-
Review: Some bring the issue of AIDS to the table when the mark appears easy and obvious. One might assume that any "blood letting" equals a silly disregard for risks and dangers involved. Take into consideration that ritual takes many forms and the reasons for them are as varied as the people involved, even when the reasons may not seem valid to someone else. The fact remains, this example of blood letting, tattoos, whatever, is less dangerous and executed with more saftey awareness and precaution than the average first date in America. It is easy to disarm an action that appears to have no acceptable reason behind it accept "attention". Consider, if nothing else, pathos. The repercussion of a violent and oftimes jaded society.To chalk it up to merely a ploy for attention, becomes dangerously close to sounding like a depraved school principal. Some of the people in this book ARE direct results of American ghettos and yes, federal prisons! Who needs to mention an entirely unrelated subject such as the Cambodia Killing fields? We live in a frightened and paralized society that insists on "saving it's self from it's self".(look where thats gotten us) This book, to me, speaks about choice, art, tragedy, adventure, sex, and yes, humor. Call it what YOU will. It is compelling and demands emotion and debate. The first time someone is exposed to the reality of death or brutality, has been known to state that it has an almost comical or simple reality to it. These images may have similar effect on some. It can be assured that these acts are real, and that is what makes it unique. Look past your nose and you may find an interesting portrait, perhaps a reflection, of a viseral society reacting to current sociological conditions- And some folks just having plain 'ol dirty fun. Whats it to ya? J Pieren.

Rating:
Summary: What you dismiss compells you-
Review: Whew! I had to buy this book because it made me wince. Very good photography, good text--purply, 19th century Gothic, decadent "Carmilla" meets Rimbaud kind of writing--simply a must if you like the fringe. If it makes your friends leave the room, then you know you got the right book. Plumbs heretical yet primal and essential psychological depths--the allure of an otherworldy woman tinged with blood (hers? her last victim's? her baby's? God's?)... pain that touches transcendence.... Go ahead... Look. It can't hurt. Can it? --Shelve it with "Re/Search 12: Modern Primitives," "The Customized Body, " David Wood's "The Torture Garden" and your video of "Hellraiser." MM-MM good!