Suspension (body modification)

A suspension is the act of suspending a human body from hooks that have been put through body piercings. These piercings are temporary and are performed just prior to the actual suspension.

Method

The process is very delicate and is typically done carefully by an experienced individual or professional of the field in order to avoid serious injury. Suspension may require and often has a small group who handle preparations and the process itself. The actual act of being suspended may take up a tiny portion of time compared to the time involved in preparation, though some people remain suspended for hours. The suspendee's body is studied to decide the proper placement, number, and size of metal hooks which are pierced into the skin to lift the person off the ground. Depending on the position in which the body is to be suspended, multiple hooks are sometimes located around the shoulders, upper arm, and back, as well as around the knees. Finding the proper hook placement and number involves basic geometry and an acute understanding of human anatomy and physiology, as well as the durability of the individual's skin. If the number of hooks are too few, the suspended individual's skin will be unable to withstand the body's weight and will rip.[1] The amount of weight that each hook supports must be distributed evenly throughout the entire body. A block and tackle-like machine made for suspension is used, and rope that attaches to the hooks is used to slowly and carefully lift an individual a foot or two off the ground — where they may remain relatively motionless for a predetermined period of time. However, depending on the type of suspension, there may be a considerable degree of freedom of movement..

History

The Oh-Kee-Pa ceremony as witnessed by George Catlin, circa 1832

Historically, suspension rituals were performed by the Mandan tribe, located along the banks of the Missouri River.[2] The Oh-Kee-Pa type of suspension was derived from this ritual. Modern day suspensions are closely related to the artwork of performance artists that use their own bodies as canvases. Fakir Musafar is an artist who specializes in suspension and piercing performance pieces, and also started the Modern Primitivism movement. He helped to bring attention to the suspension 'scene' in the United States. The noted performance artist and researcher Stelarc performed many daring suspensions in the 70's and 80's, including hanging himself between skyscrapers. Allen Falkner helped to bring suspensions to people who weren't spiritual, as well as a plethora of different and unique suspension types.

Equipment

Rigging

There are two main types of rigging: dynamic and static. Dynamic rigging primarily uses ropes, or something similar, and one long piece is used to connect the suspender to the apparatus. In static rigging, each hook is attached to the apparatus separately.

The apparatus is usually rigged to a tree, ceiling, scaffolding, etc. using pulleys, a winch or a backhoe.

Types of suspensions

Chest

A chest suspension, sometimes incorrectly referred to as an "O-Kee-Pa", is a suspension in which the hook(s) are placed in the chest. Typically two hooks are used for this type of suspension. This is named after the Okipa ceremony of the Mandan people, as a rite of passage for young men, and also practiced by vision seeking Shaman. In respect to the Mandan people the "O-Kee-Pa" name is not used to reference this position.[2]

Coma

A coma suspension is a suspension in which the hooks are placed in the chest, torso and legs, usually in two rows, such that the suspendee is lying face up. The name of this position comes from the similar imagery in the movie Coma.

Knee

This suspension takes place hooked from the knees and hung vertically with the head closest to the ground and the knees at the top. There is no standard for hook placement on this suspension, as it depends almost solely on the anatomy of the suspendee. Some people refer to this as a "Falkner" suspension since Allen Falkner is the first known person to ever attempt this particular configuration. This style is relatively new, but is quickly growing in popularity. It is not considered to be an extremely painful suspension, but the drawbacks include lower back pain and ripping of skin in the areas around the knees. Another factor of this suspension is the increased blood pressure to the brain due to the inverted position, which can lead to disorientation and cause headaches.

Suicide

A suicide suspension is a suspension in which the hook(s) are placed in the upper back, such that the suspendee is hanging upright. This type of suspension is named suicide due to its similarity in appearance to someone who has hanged him or herself.

Resurrection

A resurrection suspension is a suspension in which the suspended person is held up by hooks, usually in two rows on the belly; it gives the impression of rising from death as the suspendee is curved backwards facing up.

Crucifix

A crucifix suspension is a variation on a suicide suspension in which hooks are also placed in the arms, such that the suspendee appears to be hanging on a cross, with his or her arms held out to the side.

Superman

A superman suspension is the opposite of a coma suspension - the hooks are placed in the back and legs, usually in two rows, such that the suspendee is lying face down. This type of suspension is named superman due to the similarity in appearance to Superman flying.

Other

Other variations exist, utilizing anywhere from one to dozens of hooks. The rebirth suspension is usually performed with 4 to 6 hooks in the back, with the suspendee in the fetal position, face down. Some hang from calves, ankles, knees, or worst of all buttocks. Diabolical possibilities even include facial suspension. The "Angel" Suspension is eight hooks in the back where the outline of an angel's wings would be.

References

  1. ↑ Body-piercing team hooks crowd with performance. By Mary Lochner. Issue date: 11/1/05.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Suspensions & Tensions: Yesterday at the Wayback Machine (archived October 6, 2009)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Body suspension.
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