It’s estimated, nowadays, that one in every seven people in America have at least one tattoo and even more than that participate in some form of body modification. They might not refer to it as such, however, because society has predetermined what types of body modification are generally accepted and thus not looked down upon. In the body modification documentary, Flesh & Blood, Steve Haworth discusses this. He says “every artist has a medium, and mine is flesh” and he considers his work of extreme body modification “3d art”. Haworth is known for helping to modify people in a way that doctors will refuse because of ethical conflict. For example, he invented a sub-dermal silver plate that can be left under the skin for a life time and protrudes slightly so as to give the illusion of horns or whatever else to wearer chooses to screw into this newly available metal slot in their body.
Haworth goes on in his documentary to introduce the viewer to others who participate inextreme body modification and practice suspension. Suspension is when the individual has a series of large hooks (that look very similar to meat hooks used in slaughter houses) stuck through their skin which they are then suspended from. The hooks are commonly placed through the shoulders, back, or knees. The suspension is said to be a very meaningful and spiritual experience but can be visually intimidating which has made it a common performance art act in the body modification community. Native Americans are said to be the first to practice suspension and it was used in the Mandan tribe as part of their coming of age ritual.
Flesh & Blood - A Body Modification Documentary by Larry Silverman. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.fleshandbloodmovie.com/>.
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