In Japanese, “Shibari” simply means “to tie”.
Shibari is all about style. Styling the rope to the natural curves of the human body. The rope provides visual texture to the curves of the body. Shabari uses the person as the canvas, the rope as the tool to create the art. Practicing Sharbari I have learnt that the rope bondage asthetic isn’t usually a way to create a victimized look. Practices of Shabari use it to create beautiful imagery on other people. It is also commonly used as a component in BDSM play and is also used to enhance sexual activity.
What better way to use something that is supposed to be beautiful and pleasing to the human body than for what it is exactly not meant for.
Shabari is specifically to create a none distressful look. It is created for pleasure and art purposes and is usually done with a partner, giving them the ultimate control.
Using Shabari and taking control of my own situation would be interesting for a hostage of yourself situation. It tells a story instantly. The beauty of the precision and the twist of the situation.
So far my initial ideas for performance is based on being a hostage in a toxic relationship. You pull the rope tighter on yourself. YOU watch yourself be made in to something you are not as you begin to be control and manipulated. You are somewhat in control of the situation though. Their is was of stopping this. You are supposed to be the one to walk away, but instead you keep adding ropes and making yourself more okay with the situation as you are the one, once again in control of it. That’s why I want to look at the control of the situation. Controlling yourself to be put in a vulnerable situation is commonly unheard of and that’s why I want to explore it. Willingly you wouldn’t offer to be tied up and mentally abused, would you? To be put in a confined space and reminded you might die but you can’t get out of it. YOU WOULD NOT PUT YOURSELF IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT.
That is why it’s interesting. It’s interesting as theirs no understanding of why you would put yourself in a visible situation like that, so why do people put their selves in them mentally?
The images below show some ties I have learnt but are yet to perfect over the coming weeks.
Leg ties practiced on a friend
Harness tie, done and practiced on myself (proud moment).
Joni Mitchell can teach anyone how to feel by the way.