Posts tagged suscon

Point 79: 12th Italian SusCon, 2016

Bruno Valsecchi

English Version

The twelfth edition of the SusCon took place this year September from the 18 to the 20 in Tirrenia, Pisa, a convenient location we have used for a long time. The Conference was good, with 45 suspensions facilitated as well as pulling between six people. On a highly positive note, 30% of our suspendees were newbies, a sign that the cultural practice of corporal suspension is expanding.

Besides Italians, we had participants from Germany, Spain, Norway and New Zealand. The suspension groups that made the whole event possible were APTPI-ST and Wings of Desire (from Norway), whose leader Havve Fjell will officially be presenting the 3rd Symposium on corporal suspension, which will be held in Berlin this May.

As usual, during the three days of the Conference, theoretical lessons were offered. This year we had the honor to host Paul King; professional body piercer since 1991 and one of the few to hold the title of Master Piercer, given by Jim Ward in 1996. He is an active member of the APP and an avid student of ethno-anthropology, as well as the anthropology of the body modification community, having lectured on these topics at various universities.

Paul presented the “Traditions of Hook Swinging in South Asia,” “Suspension of Belief and Piercing Rituals of Plains,” and “Sundance.” The subjects were very interesting and much appreciated. They highlighted other points of view on the practice of suspension, especially with regard to the ritual purpose. Another novelty for this year saw some of the attendees participate in a social and anthropological study, led by the anthropologist Federica Manfredi. She is researching the reasons and feelings involved for those who suspend. From this research they will produce 12 individual projects, all different and all unique and personal.

A special “thank you” to all of the participants in our SusCon, speakers, sponsors, and especially all the volunteers that make this a reality each year. At every event, we see a lot of passion and dedication, rewarding us all with an emotionally engaging gathering.

We can’t wait for next year, with even more surprises planned!

Italian Version

La dodicesima edizione dell’Italian SusCon si è svolta quest’anno dal 18 al 20 settembre a Tirrenia, Pisa, comoda location ormai da molto tempo.

Ancora una volta la partecipazione è stata buona, con 45 sospensioni effettuate durante il convegno ed un pulling tra 6 persone. Nota altamente positiva, il 30 % dei suspendees erano neofiti, segno che la cultura della pratica della sospensione corporale si sta espandendo, anche e soprattutto tra i più giovani.

Oltre agli italiani, si segnalano partecipanti provenienti da Germania, Spagna, Norvegia e Nuova Zelanda; i gruppi di sospensione che hanno reso possibile tutto l’evento sono APTPI-ST e Wings of Desire (Norvegia), il cui leader, Havve Fjell, ha presentato ufficialmente il 3° Simposio sulle sospensioni corporali che sarà tenuto a Berlino nel maggio 2017.

Come di consueto, durante i 3 giorni del convegno, si tengono anche delle lezioni teoriche: abbiamo avutol’onore in questa edizione di ospitare Paul King, body piercer professionista fin dal 1991 ed insignito del titolo di Master Piercer da Jim Ward nel 1996. Membro attivo dell’APP, è anche avido studioso di etnoantropologia e di antropologia delle modificazioni del corpo e su questi argomenti ha tenuto diverse lezioni in varie Università.

Da noi ha proposto: “Traditions of Hook Swinging in South Asia,” Suspension of Believe and Piercing Rituals of Plains,” and “Sundance;” gli argomenti sono stati molto interessanti ed apprezzati, ed hanno messo in luce altri punti di vista sulla pratica della sospensione, soprattutto per quanto riguarda la finalità, non ludica ma rituale.

Altra novità, alcuni partecipanti hanno realizzato un progetto a sfondo sociale ed antropologico, condotto dall’antropologa Federica Manfredi, che ricerca i motivi, ma anche le sensazioni, che intervengono in chi si sospende. Dopo aver contattato alcune persone, ha stabilito una consegna: cercare, attraverso un’opera artistica, di rappresentare cosa, o come, la coscienza elabori l’atto di sospendersi. Sono stati così prodotti 12 progetti, tutti diversi e tutti unici e personali nel taglio e nella realizzazione, che ha coinvolto molto intensamente isoggetti.

Doveroso ringraziare tutti i partecipanti al SusCon, i relatori e gli sponsors, ma soprattutto tutti i volontari che rendono ogni anno tutto questo una realtà.

Vedere e sentire tanta passione e dedizione per una pratica apparentemente poco usuale e male accettata dalla comunità, ricompensa da ogni fatica e contribuisce a rendere questo evento così emotivamente coinvolgente dal punto di vista umano e culturale.

Vi aspettiamo alla prossima edizione, con altre sorprese!

Point 74: Italian SusCon 2015

APTPI logoITALIAN SUSCON 2015

(Italian Original)

Dal 20 al 22 settembre 2015 si è svolta a Tirrenia (Pi) italia l’11ma edizione dell’italian suscon, seminario sui rituali di trazione e sospensione corporale. anche quest’anno i partecipanti sono stati numerosi, circa 75 persone, provenienti da diverse parti del mondo come italia,norvegia,stati uniti,israele e germania.

Quest’anno abbiamo avuto come relatori un pionere delle sospensioni corporali come Fakir Musafar e il dott. Franco di palma. Fakir Musafar padre delle sospensioni e modifiche corporali moderne dagli usa e per la prima volta in Italia, ha presentato il viaggio personale che lo ha portato a sperimentare e sviluppare antiche pratiche rituali antropologiche portandole nella cultura contemporanea. Il dott. Di palma, neurologo, invece ha trattato nella sua lezione “il dolore” spiegandone il significato, i suoi benefici e come il nostro cervello reagisce ai suoi stimoli.

Bruno and Fakir huging at Italian SusCon 2016Durante l’evento sono state effettuate 35 sospensioni e a differenza delle edizioni passate quest’anno e’ stata data un’impronta piu’ rituale vista la partecipazione di fakir. E’ stato organizzato un rituale, “moon dance”, sulla spiaggia al quale hanno partecipato circa 40 persone. Ogni partecipante dopo essersi fatto inserire due ganci nel petto e dopo una meditazione spirituale personale ha partecipato in primis ad una preghiera collettiva, poi in fila indiana, tutti si sono diretti in spiaggia al tramonto dove ogni partecipante e’ stato agganciato ad un unico anello centrale. Ognuno poteva cosi’, sentirsi legato materialmente a tutti i partecipanti. L’atmosfera era magica e spiritale e il pulling di gruppo e’ durato circa un’ora con un sentito sottofondo musicale di 12 percussionisti.

Le sospensioni corporali come ogni anno si sono tenute indoor outdoor sotto gli alberi e infine anche direttamente in mare. Fortunatamente, nonostante fosse il penultimo weekend di settembre il tempo e’ stato bello e soleggiato con una temperatura estiva.

La crew era composta da 29 persone provenienti da diversi team: aptpi suspension team (italy), wings of desire (norway), superfly ( germany) e release flesh suspension team (usa).

Il tutto si e’ svolto in completa armonia tra i partecipanti e anche in quest’occasione si e’ potuto interagire sia a livello tecnico che artistico per elevare la conoscenza di queste procedure in sicurezza e sperimentando nuove possibilita’ di sospensione.

Vi aspettiamo per la 12ma edizione che si terra’ sempre a tirrenia il 18-19-20 settembre 2016.

—APTPI Staff


ITALIAN SUSCON 2015

(English Translation)

From the 20th–22nd of September 2015, in Tirrenia, Pisa, Italy, the Italian association of professional piercers and tattoo artists (A.P.T.P.I.) organised the 11th edition of Italian SusCon, a three day seminar on body suspension rituals. Italian SusCon 2015, as from previous editions, continued to attract a considerable number of participants, 75, coming from different parts of the world: Italy, Norway, USA, Israel and Germany.

Guest of honours of this year edition of Italian SusCon were: pioneer of body suspension Fakir Musafar and the neurologist Dr. Franco di Palma. Fakir Musafar (USA) father of modern suspension rituals and body modifications, for the first time in Italy, presented the personal journey that led him to experiment, develop and bring ancient body rituals to contemporary culture. Neurologist Franco di Palma, in his lecture entitled “The Pain”, explained the benefits of pain and how our brain reacts to it.

Sunset beach suspension at Italian SusCon 2016During Italian SusCon the crews suspended a total of 35 people. Thanks to Fakir Musafar’s participation, this edition of Italian SusCon, gained a more ritualistic and mystical atmosphere. The famous “Moon Dance” ritual, held on the beach at night, was attended by 40 people. After a collective prayer, each participant was inserted two chest hooks and given some time for a personal spiritual meditation. Then the group, queued to the beach at sunset, where each participant was hooked to a central circular ring, given the feeling that everyone was physically connected. The ritual of collective pulling was accompanied by twelve percussionists and lasted one hour.

The September weather in Italy during Italian SusCon 2015 was warm and sunny allowing indoor and outdoor on trees and on the sea!

The Italian SusCon 2015 crew of 29 featured members from: A.P.T.P.I. Suspension Team (Italy), Wings of Desire (Norway), Superfly (Germany), and Release Flesh Suspension Team (USA).

img688Italian SusCon 2015 fostered complete harmony between the participants and allowed them to interact and exchange both technical and artistic skills and expertise to extend the knowledge of body suspension procedures safely and to experiment with new possibilities.

We look forward to seeing you for the 12th edition that will be in Tirrenia again on 18th–20th September, 2016.

—APTPI Staff

Point #63: Dallas Suscon 2013

Bethra headshotBy Bethra Szumski

Before I begin, I should make a special note: this was my first Suscon, ever. The event was held in Dallas, Texas from March 29 through 31, 2013. As in the past, it was organized by Allen Falkner and his team of hardworking volunteers. I’ve been to plenty of shows, two One Project campouts, and helped out with hook placement and cleanup, but I never really jumped into the middle of the suspension bed so-to-speak. So when I arrived, I appeared as most: not as an APP representative but as a student , eager to learn more about the art of suspension, and apparently I arrived just in time to witness and participate in a historic event.

The evening before the event began, representatives of attending groups gathered for a dinner and discussion. Organized by Allen Falkner, the topic of discussion was about creating a non-profit organization that could serve as an official representation and a vehicle for advocacy for the art of suspension and its practitioners. The group voiced many concerns, both for and against organizing such a group (and all of which were valid). However, everyone agreed that they did not want to see suspension made illegal, and forming such a group could provide much needed representation with lawmakers. After much discussion, the general consensus was that organization—to a point—would be a good thing, though what comes next has yet to be decided.

Photo by Mark Kaplan
Photo by Mark Kaplan

As the event began, it quickly became apparent the focus of Suscon was to be a learning event. I took numerous classes—from knot tying to suturing, intro to suspension, and basic rigging and rituals. While many more advanced courses were offered, including aseptic technique, bedside manner, and outdoor rigging to name a few, I stuck to the “newbie” ones. Whenever I wasn’t in class, I was being included in suspension set-ups. (Thanks to Dana Dinius and Chris Jennell—both team leads—for including me.)

One of the most memorable moments was the evening lecture and art suspension performed by Stelarc. During his lecture, he discussed and showed his art pieces and performances. (He referred to himself in these works as “The Body.”) Ripples of laughter went through the audience as he described how The Body was arrested by the NYPD after a guerilla suspension he performed , long before the practice became more common in cities around the world. When asked why he refers to himself in this way, he responded that he didn’t believe in the Freudian view of the self (i.e., the id, ego, and super-ego); instead, he believes in the idea of a digital self—one outside control of the physical body, where man and machine act in a symbiotic states. The suspension itself was stunning. After an hour of complex rigging, the group went up, all pushing back from a metal symbol in the center of the circle. The machinery amplified the sound of grinding metal, and gears jutted out as the bodies were raised and lowered. The lighting was cool and one had the sense of quiet non-presence, even as the shadows of the participants were cast upon the floor. The nagging, unvoiced question in my mind as his talk closed was:

“So your saying the body contains no soul and your work is all about that idea?”

Being far from religious myself, my own experience with pain and ritual is still all about my body and soul in conversation, so it was absolutely fascinating to experience a view so philosophically different from my own and yet with similar practices.

Stelarc and Wings of Desire — Dallas Suscon 2013. Photo by Mark Kaplan.
Stelarc and Wings of Desire — Dallas Suscon 2013. Photo by Mark Kaplan.

The suspension community is unique as a body art group. For one, making a living from suspension is nearly unheard of; instead, it is a labor of love. Any money coming in generally goes to better equipment and promotion. Unlike other body arts, such as piercing or tattooing, suspension is performance art and ritual with practitioners coming from all kinds of backgrounds. (I met engineers, gymnastic instructors, IT specialists, professional riggers, hospital workers, an opera singer—I already knew her—and the list goes on and on.) This community has extended to include body art enthusiasts in a way no other has; in fact, many groups will only have one or two actual body modification practitioners. Napoleon once said that, in battle, “the moral is to the physical as three to one.” Loosely, this means that spiritual and mental attributes, such as tenacity, morale, teamwork, dedication, and willpower, are far more important than numbers, equipment, hunger, or pain. Never has this felt more true than at Suscon 2013.

I had always imagined my first time at Suscon much like when a little girl thinks of her wedding day. I decided on Saturday that on Sunday (Easter) I would suspend; I put myself in the hands of fate and asked those who had so graciously made me part of their team—and those in my network—to guide me through. My goal was just to get up in the air, and I did—for two short bursts. As I came down, the beautiful faces around me were wet with tears. Someone said “that was so beautiful”. It felt beautiful, though I wasn’t able to push past the pain. Even so, this event was not simply a learning experience; for me, it was a rite of passage.

For information about suspension, in general, click here.