Category: Project Thoughts
This year, as I crafted my questionnaire using the Chinese survey platform “问卷星” (Wenjuanxing), I encountered an unexpected hurdle. After completing the editing process, I discovered that my questionnaire had been banned due to the sensitivity of the content related to rope bondage. Despite investing considerable time in editing, my survey became unusable, prompting me to shift to Google Forms to recreate it. This incident highlights the challenges faced in China regarding rope bondage and the cultural journey that still lies ahead.
Encouraged by my tutor, I took the initiative to reach out to numerous industry experts via email this year. While many did not respond and some politely declined, there were also experts who generously provided valuable advice. Regardless, I now approach challenges with optimism, embracing the courage to try new things. If I hadn’t taken the initiative to email them, I would have missed out on valuable opportunities.
Since the beginning of the semester, I have remained dedicated to the field of rope bondage, unwavering in my commitment to my research question. I genuinely enjoy exploring rope bondage. Along this journey, some have expressed that I introduced them to something new, and some people also said to me that I want to play rope bondage with you but only if it is sexual.t. Rope bondage has allowed me to see the world from a fresh perspective, bringing new friends into my life and providing me with invaluable experiences. I am grateful for the journey.
Recently, within the Chinese rope bondage community “Heiwushe,” a male member faced accusations of touching a woman’s buttocks without her consent. CK, the founder of “Heiwushe” and a significant influence in the Twitter rope bondage community with 118K followers, experienced a substantial impact. This incident sparked a significant online response, leading many previously active women in the community to disassociate themselves through Twitter, expressing their decision not to participate in events organized by “Heiwushe” in the future.
Coincidentally, I recently reached out to an expert in the field of rope bondage healing, GANDALF (THEY/THEM). Gandalf, a Shibari artist and instructor, was trained as a cognitive scientist before leaving academia. They established KinkyFeminist, a body art platform dedicated to diversifying rope education and creating safer spaces for rope practitioners. Gandalf teaches a style of tying that draws heavily from various styles of theater and dance, exploring the potential of rope beyond eroticism, emphasizing attention, and empathy in tying.
When sharing their perspectives with me, Gandalf emphasized that rope bondage is easily exploitable, particularly in contexts where there is a lack of general consent awareness. They referenced the well-known Shibari Healing case (link: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-09-10/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/he-said-if-i-stroke-him-men-would-want-me-the-truth-behind-the-sacred-sex-community/00000183-22e1-d2c9-a387-e7f99cdc0000), highlighting how it can become a tool for sexual assault. Gandalf also discussed the importance of acknowledging that while rope bondage can be therapeutic, it may also be highly triggering. They suggested that incorporating discussions on trauma awareness could enhance the relevance and impact of my project.
I initially considered researching the destigmatization of rope bondage, but upon deeper reflection, I opted to shift my focus. Despite the common association of rope bondage with sexuality, I firmly believe it has many other positive aspects. Therefore, my decision is to concentrate more on advocating for the revelation of other benefits associated with rope bondage.
In the article “I Tried Rope Bondage as a Coping Mechanism for My Anxiety” (link: https://www.vice.com/en/article/9kx9y5/i-tried-rope-bondage-as-a-coping-mechanism-for-my-anxiety), Detroit-based therapist Stefani Goerlich stated, “We have different nerve endings that respond to different kinds of touch. Ropes can give the sensation of a hug. Self-tying can mimic a comfort strategy that goes back to babyhood. Swaddling or squeezing is how some of us are comforted.” This provides solid theoretical support for my research.
Additionally, In the article “More Benefits of Rope Bondage — Whether You’re Kinky or Not” (link: https://www.kinbakutoday.com/5-benefits-rope-bondage-whether-youre-kinky-not/ )that the benefits of rope bondage include body awareness and empowerment, boosted self-esteem, emotional and intimate connection, helping people relax and reduce anxiety, and serving as a form of exercise that contributes to physical fitness.
Based on my personal experiences, I’ve discovered that using rope bondage to alleviate negative emotions, including anxiety, depression, and frustration, is effective. Thus, my decision is to delve deeper into this aspect, exploring the healing potential of rope to aid in improving people’s emotional well-being. I believe this approach is applicable to almost everyone, but I aim to more precisely identify those facing significant stress and anxiety, particularly students experiencing nervous tension due to academic pressure.
Categories
Hug Machine and Autism
Dr. Temple-Glandin is an autistic person and a pioneer in the field of autism research. Her experience on the autism spectrum led her to the invention of The Temple Grandin Hug Machine(a device designed to calm hypersensitive individuals) in 1965.
Also known as a hug box, squeeze machine, or a squeezebox, the hug machine is a deep-pressure device designed to administer pressure evenly through the body, between two sideboards hinged in a V shape.
The idea first came to Dr. Grandin while observing cattle chutes on her aunt’s farm. She noticed the chutes — which function similarly to what eventually became the hug machine — helped to noticeably calm the cattle as they passed through. It was after this experience that Dr. Grandin realized that the cattle were coming out of the chute calmer than when they went in. Today, the machine is now an essential tool in helping to provide sensory benefits to children and adults with autism
Turns out I’m not the only one who feels less nervous and anxious when I’m hugged! Growing up, I used to wrap myself in a quilt when I was feeling nervous and anxious. I first got into rope bondage because I wanted to experience the feeling of being wrapped up as well.
I have recently been doing research about autism as I think I may have high functioning Autism spectrum disorder. I made a call to the General Practitioner and was told by the GP that a diagnosis of autism could be on the waiting list for over a year. This bothers me as I want to know if I am autistic or not. If I am I can learn more and improve the way I relate to the world and to myself. Sometimes I have insomnia due to anxiety, usually in China I would take sleeping pills, but in the UK I called my doctor and he said I was too young to be advised to take them. Recently I found out that medical marijuana seems to work!
https://www.bancroft.org/resources/the-calming-effect-temple-grandin/
As an East Asian woman, I have lived in China for a long time and am currently residing in London. The change in my geographical location has allowed me to observe many cultural and ideological differences related to bondage between Eastern and Western societies, particularly in attitudes towards gender and bondage.
In China, when you search for the term “捆绑” (bondage) on the mainstream search engine Baidu, the results are filled with images of men gazing. In the Chinese community, I feel that there is a low level of societal acceptance for bondage. People lack confidence and recognition for the legitimacy of rope binding in their social environment, leading to a concealed state in both aspects.
In contrast, when searching for “rope bondage” on the Western mainstream search engine Google, the images presented are markedly different, with women appearing very confident and poised. In London, my friends and I joyfully participate in LGBTQ Pride parades, expressing ourselves fully.
Additionally, I attended a kinky party at Fetish Club, dressed in clothing that incorporated rope elements. The party had a strict dress code, requiring participants to wear outfits deemed “kinky.” During the party, I observed a Chinese guy being asked by staff to remove his long-sleeved shirt to continue participating. Here, wearing “kinky” outfits seemed like a necessary uniform for certain occasions, and no one felt ashamed. Everyone expressed themselves openly and generously praised others. In this environment, everyone adheres to the principle of “informed consent,” respecting each other, making me feel safer than in the outside world.
After coming to London, due to people being more open-minded, community-driven, and newbie-friendly, with participants being more equal between males and females, there is a focus on art and beauty rather than sex. In my social circle, it’s challenging to find people who stigmatize rope bondage, and it seems that everyone is willing to try it. Perhaps because I am in art school, my social circle lacks cisgender straight males with a negative impression of bondage, and there are no individuals who stigmatize the practice. Gradually, I realize that attempting to make cisgender straight males who stigmatize rope bondage accept it and undergo gender power shifts might not be a wise direction in London.
I was in the rope bondage subculture community for about six months before I left Hangzhou to study in London. During this time I observed the community and the people and realized that there was a strong male gaze in the rope bondage community. I often received messages about rope bondage that suggested male dominance and the objectification of women. In my observations, the roles of men and women have always been unequal, and women, trans women or non-binary women have always been scrutinized. I am trying to experiment with gender shift in the realm of rope bondage in order to realize power shift, artistic expression, intimacy, and sensory exploration.
As a rope bondage model, I have been bound to cis-gender straight men. Why don’t I try to learn rope bondage and bond with some cis men and see what happens? I actually tried to attempt this before when I was in China, I had two ex-boyfriends who were both rugby players and standard masculine cisgender straight men. I tried to try rope bondage on them, one was very resistant, and the other was willing to try but kept emphasizing that I didn’t really like being tied up and that you could just practice your technique on me.
Last semester I discussed my project with guest Expert Sarah-Lou Newman, an artist, mother, feminist, and founder of The Minefield, a Feminist Thinking resource and Meet-Up group for people and parents. We talked by email, and Sarah shared some books with me that helped me learn more about feminism. I shared my experience of bonding cisgender straight men with Sarah and she listened and said “Because cisgender straight men associate sex with rope bondage, they usually see bondage in pornography. They stigmatize rope bondage, and in porn, the woman being bonded is usually the object and the cisgender male is the subject, and when they watch porn they know exactly what’s going to happen down the line in the film, so they’re extremely afraid when they’re on the receiving end of scrutiny.”
But not all cisgender straight men are necessarily like that, Sarah told me. He suggested I could go to another comprehensive university and find some cisgender straight guys and ask them if they’d be willing to try rope bondage. Make it academic, tell them they can just tie their hands up instead of tying their whole bodies, and keep it private and out of the way of other people.
After my discussion with Cecilia, I have determined my place in the rope bondage field. I want to challenge the sexualized perspective of rope bondage, which is a result of the male voyeuristic perspective. Creating a safe space that focuses on well-being while also challenging culture.
For the public, I hope to popularize knowledge about rope bondage and educate participants to break free from patriarchal culture and adopt a diverse perspective towards rope bondage culture, including women and non-binary. In Asian culture, people who bondage is usually viewed as an object of the gaze, and I hope to have the opportunity to facilitate a power shift.
For participants within the community, I hope that they can drive industry innovation through change. For example, by exploring diverse forms of bodily expression, emphasizing intimacy in rope bondage culture, aim to “touching is more important than tying.”
In the bustling city of London, where I initially found myself without any friends, the serendipitous creation of Luckypot became a pivotal chapter in my life. The brainchild of Lik, my roommate, and Luckypot’s co-founder, our paths crossed when she heard about my venture into rope bondage. Intrigued, she willingly stepped into the world of knots and ties with me, marking the beginning of a profound friendship.
Lik became the first person I practiced rope bondage in London, and her response encapsulates the essence of our shared experiences: “Expressing my feelings has never felt so easy. The process of rope bondage makes me feel cared for and relaxed – I don’t have to worry about a thing.”
This pivotal moment led me to join Luckypot, a mobile and decentralized art group committed to on-site creation and practice in a cross-cultural context. Luckypot’s art spaces, including Lucky Pot 34 in South London and Lucky Pot 196 in East London, are initiated and run by our members. They serve as co-living spaces for creating, residency, and art events, fostering an active community for Asian and Chinese artists in London.
At Luckypot, we embody the spirit of collaboration – we make and share, and everyone is a producer. Together, our aim is to build an LGBTQ-friendly, inclusive, and non-discriminatory safe space where individuals of all genders, races, abilities, and neurodiversity feel welcomed.
Rope bondage not only introduced me to new friends within Luckypot but also became a catalyst for collaboration with other artists in the group. Collaborating with fellow Asian artists amplifies our collective voice and draws attention to our work.
Joining Luckypot was driven by a desire to bring attention to rope bondage in society. My intention is to bridge the gap between those unfamiliar with this art form and those curious but yet to try. By pushing the boundaries of rope bondage culture, we break stereotypes, invite understanding, and encourage more people to explore this unique art form.
In this journey with Luckypot, we redefine the narrative surrounding rope bondage, transforming it into a cultural phenomenon that transcends stereotypes and fosters connections.
I was diagnosed with moderate depression in my third year of undergraduate studies, and I went through this very difficult period before I got an offer for a master’s degree at the University of the Arts London. The stress of my studies and fear of the future took hold of me and I often felt so anxious and nervous that I was afraid to be alone in my room. I used to spend the day alone in bed, doing nothing, wrapping myself tightly in the covers, closing my eyes, and sleeping, which made me feel safe and calm.
I’ve seen rope bondage-related artwork on the internet before, and I’ve also seen offline, fashion-related rope bondage performances when I was interning at a fashion brand, so I’ve always been aware of the existence of rope bondage and was curious about it. Being so enamored with the feeling of being tightly wrapped in a quilt, I wondered if rope bondage would be more secure than a quilt. So I started searching for local reach-out rope bondage places. I was living in Hangzhou, a city in the south of China, and after a lot of searching, I found out that there is a famous subculture of diverse rope bondage in Hangzhou called “Heiwushe” (黑物社), which is founded by rope bondage artist CK.
Rope bondage has always been a gray area in China because people associate rope bondage with sex, and Heiwushe’s events are often terminated because they are reported to the police (someone may tell the police that someone is having a gang bang somewhere, etc.), which is not allowed in China, even if Heiwushe’s members aren’t having a gang bang but are just having a bondage session. The police have to take action to cancel the event if they get a report, they don’t care what Heiwushe members are doing). It’s not uncommon for CK to have his mainstream social media accounts banned in China, so his parties are almost exclusively in speakeasies, and he relies solely on Instagram and Twitter to spread the word (since these social media outlets are banned in China, you need to use a VPN for them to work properly, which makes them more private and reduces the risk of them being reported to the police).
After I contacted CK, I finally found CK’s rope bondage studio in a residential area on the outskirts of Hangzhou, which is a very private place, and I was even a little scared to go there alone. I didn’t have to pay for a ticket to CK’s workshop to model, but I did have to buy a ticket to learn how to bond with someone else, and I didn’t want to spend the money, so I decided to do the workshop! I didn’t want to spend money, so I decided to model for this workshop because I didn’t know how to tie people up anyway.
CK called me over and talked to me, I said I don’t want my legs to be spread apart, I want my legs to be together, don’t put too much pressure on my back because I went to the gym yesterday, etc. I said a lot of things. I made a lot of requests, CK said ok, and then began my first rope bondage experience. At first, I was a bit nervous about relaxing my body as I was surrounded by about 15 colleagues watching CK bondage me. CK covered my head with a patch to block my view and I slowly relaxed, as time went by my body was tightly bound by the ropes but I felt safe, rope bondage is really more effective than a quilt. Later on, CK even lifted me gently from the ground, I felt calmer than ever as if CK and I were the only two people in the studio. After the experience, CK massaged my limbs, hugged me, and patiently told me that the indentations left by the rope on my body would disappear in a few hours. I was very happy with my first rope bondage experience and became close friends with CK. Since then I have been working part-time for CK as his rope bondage instructional model, and sometimes I work with him on his rope bondage photo shoots.