Dear Shaded Viewers,
For a little over two years Mint&Serf has been releasing high-quality reproductions on silk. Their photo concept is reframed around issues of identity, sexuality and aesthetics.
This summer they have decided to collaborate with Sarah McSweeney and Alessandro Simonetti on a Kinbaku inspired collection. The intent of this project is to celebrate an art form through photographs and to expose cliches and misguided thoughts about sexuality, intimacy, trust and fetishism.
As Sarah explains,
“For me the rope was learning about my boundaries of intimacy and communication. I was drawn to Kinbaku by its visual aesthetic and sexuality. But quickly once I had the pleasure of tying with June, I realized the sex element had much less to do with my enthusiasm for it. It was the connection and friendship that formed with June through the rope. She made it clear to me, that even though she was doing the tying, ultimately, that I was in control. Through that control I was able to explore my boundaries while feeling vulnerable with someone I trusted.
Kinbaku has taught me the power of communication of body and mind without speaking a word. The first time I tied with June, I felt completely grounded, in control and taken care of. Breathing into the rope as discomfort gives way to pleasure. Kinbaku like anything with a sexual nature creates intrigue and also judgment. This is understandable but please be open to exploring the healing and emotional qualities of rope; communication, intimacy, vulnerability, and boundaries.”
A huge thank you to Sarah McSweeney and June St.Paul for being incredibly open, patient and willing to work with us, bijules for providing the jewelry, Dax Anderson for hair, Alden Nusser for video documentation, and Alessandro Simonetti for capturing our vision so perfectly.”
We would like to close with a quote from Oscar Wilde, which is more relevant now than ever before.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
