Nonsense: The negative perception of BDSM in the bedroom

Don’t let the acronym intimidate you. BDSM, widely stigmatized in films, books, media, and pornography, often portrayed as abusive and inflicted on unwilling participants, is not the sort of kinky practice that violently endangers individuals when practiced within a caring relationship and attentively enjoyed. The acronym BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism. These terms definitely raise the eyebrows of many, however, in practice, these terms are often very different than how they are perceived. The practice of tying up a partner in any way is an act of bondage; the act of following directions is an act of discipline. Being swatted with a crop (or anything) lightly on the ass (or anywhere else, for that matter) can also be considered an act of sadism and masochism.

In the mainstream media, terms like these are often interpreted in the harshest possible form and, for the uneducated, do not normally elicit images of lightly slapping crops on a moaning woman’s (or man’s) skin, or tying a partner up with silk stockings. The terms for BDSM practices vary and are utilized in different ways. As in the “vanilla” world, every relationship is different: Those practicing BDSM have their own unique desires and relationship styles. One thing is absolutely essential for a couple to have a successful and pleasurable BDSM experience with one another: Absolute mutual consent and desire for the experience.

BDSM terminology: What does BDSM really mean?

An overview of BDSM terminology includes D/s, for dominance and submission, B&D, for bondage and discipline, and S&M for sadomasochism. The small “s” in D/s is usually intended to symbolize the desire of the submissive to submit, allowing themselves to be perceived as “smaller” than their dominant partner. Among safe, sane, and consensual BDSM practitioners, it is widely understood that there is no one “right” way to practice BDSM. While some circles of the BDSM community may practice similar rules and styles, there are plenty of partners who do not get involved in their local BDSM community or dungeon and prefer to keep their practice and relationships private.

Interested in trying BDSM?

It can be a nerve-wracking business for those interested in trying any BDSM practice to introduce it to their partner, for fear of being perceived in a negative way or as a deviant. This is a valid concern considering how BDSM is typically perceived by the public in general. A common suggestion among experienced practitioners is to not approach a partner with terms like the above, but instead to make gradual and comfortable introductions to build on. Communication and openness is also crucial. For example, one interested in experiencing nipple clamps could begin with asking their partner for light pinching with the fingers, and over a series of encounters, request a gradual increase in pressure, all the while being open and attentive to their partners comfort level with the activity. Those interested in trying erotic spanking with their partner should begin with an open, honest, and kind approach, expressing interest and sweetly asking permission in a passionate moment to try a few swats lightly. Warming up the gluteal area with light spanking can be exciting and arousing for both involved. Light play can graduate into more intense practices, like crops, caning, or whips, depending on your curiosity level.

Safe, sane, and consensual BDSM

Whips may sound extreme to some, but there are plenty of practitioners who enjoy the eroticism of receiving sensual and erotic stimulation from the sting of a whip. As with any tool, however, it is absolutely essential to understand how to use it before unleashing gleeful strokes on an eager partner and severely harming them. While there is a danger of physically harming someone, there is equal opportunity for emotional harm. One partner may thoroughly enjoy dirty talk that others may perceive as degrading (terms like whore, slut, etc.). Another partner may strongly desire what is called “aftercare” immediately following a “scene” or experience, and if that tenderness and attentiveness are not provided, there can be emotional ramifications and wounds. The key to understanding what any partner wants or is comfortable within any relationship, BDSM practice or no, all lie within the same word: communication. It is entirely possible to have a passionate, fun, and erotic experience within a relationship, however, if needs, dislikes, and desires are not crisply and clearly expressed before any activities take place of the BDSM nature, it can be like playing a game of relationship roulette.

For further information on how to safely practice BDSM activities, have a look at SM101 by Jay Wiseman, and/or get in touch with your local BDSM community to seek out advice from experienced and trustworthy practitioners. Your local community is usually easily found online and located within your nearest prominent city.

 

Fetish art encompasses a wide range of objects, acts, and desires. Artwork may include people in fetish situations or featuring fetishized body parts or objects.

Fetishism is a source of intrigue and sexual gratification. It has people attribute sexual pleasure through the presence or interaction of an object or body part. Their allure is so powerful that fetish objects were once attributed to supernatural powers.

Karl Marx describes a fetish as:

“An inanimate object worshipped by savages on account of its supposed inherent magical powers.”

Karl Marx on Technology and Alienation

Not all subjects of fetish art are objects, nor are they all inanimate. They are often also attributed to body parts. While the subjects of fetishes have wide variety, so do the themes in fetish art. We take a look at the themes in some of the most well-recognized fetishes:

1. Apparel
2. BDSM
3. Transvestitism
4. Feet
5. Watersports

 

Themes in Fetish Apparel Art

Fetish clothes are many peoples’ first introduction to fetish art. Cartoons and comics often depict the villains wearing intimidating BDSM inspired apparel, such as Catwoman’s whip, claws, and tight leather one-piece.

High heels, leathers, and corsets are just a few of a wide variety of fetish apparel. This fetish ranges from something as tame as arousal from stockings, or more intense like bondage masks and zentai suits.

The audience of apparel fetish art may be aroused by the apparel being worn by someone, or simply displayed on its own. Fetish clothing draws influence from other fetishes, so there is a lot of crossover between themes.

Some of these themes include:

• Power: Clothing is symbolic of power and social standing.
• Domination: Dominatrix outfits, riding crops, and whips are just some examples of fetish clothing and accessories used to display dominance.
• Femininity: Many of the clothing options, such as garters and corsets can accentuate and sexualize female features.
• Sexual Suggestion: Clothing can be sexually suggestive, especially panties and undergarments that cover breasts and genitalia.

 

Themes in BDSM Art

BDSM art can span a number of fetish interests and pleasures. Bondage, domination and S&M art all fall under this umbrella and share a number of themes. Many of the themes are sub-themes of power exchange:

• Submission: BDSM art may display someone submitting to another, or depict someone in a submissive position.
• Humiliation: Receiving physical or verbal humiliation is a common BDSM desire. It is more common for erotic prints to depict physical humiliation than verbal.
• Sex Change: In BDSM, a sex change is not necessarily changing the body, nor does it have to come from a desire of being the opposite sex. In most cases, it’s symbolic – wearing female clothing or changing the power dynamic by reversing traditional gender roles.

These themes are most common among men, especially ones in high social or financial status. It is a temporary release from the burdens of responsibility earned by giving up control.

Other themes within BDSM are more common amongst both genders. However, all fetishes tend to skew more towards men. Some of these fetishes include:

• Dominance: A common desire is to be dominant in sexual situations. Control is a powerful erotic stimulant for some. BDSM art can serve dual purposes for submissives and dominants. A photograph of someone being submissive can give the dom a sense of control or power. A sub can look at the same photo and experience the submissive experience through the subject.
• Pain: In fetish art, pain and pleasure are two sides of the same coin. This is certainly true in BDSM art. Images of nipple clamps and hot wax being poured on the body will tantalize many S&M fans.

Themes in Transvestitism Art

Transvestitism is an often misunderstood fetish. It is often confused with transsexualism and homosexuality, although it is separate from both. A more commonly-known term is crossdressing.

Transvestitism is cross-dressing for sexual pleasure. It usually does not come from a desire to become the opposite sex. It can involve wearing a complete outfit, or simply a single garment. A man wearing women’s panties or stockings are common examples.

These are a few of the most common themes in Transvestitism art:

• Forced: Transvestitism art often displays power and domination themes. One common image is forcing men to wear women’s clothing, this can also appeal to humiliation enthusiasts.
• Role Reversal: Role reversal is another common use of transvestitism in fetish art. Dressing in the clothing of the opposite gender is a symbolic role reversal.
• Clothing: Crossdressing is often an extension of a clothing fetish.
• Gender Worship: Dressing in the apparel of the opposite gender is sometimes a form of gender worship or submission to the opposite gender.

Themes in Foot Fetish Art

Feet are one of the most well-known fetishes and are the most common sexual fetish for non-sexual body parts or objects. A foot fetishist may derive pleasure from viewing feet, playing with them, smelling, licking or kissing. Foot fetish art may display feet on their own, or being interacted with.

There are a number of explanations and erotic philosophies for the popularity of foot fetishes. One is that the areas in the brain that are responsible for sexual gratification are close to the area that registers information from the feet. The belief is that the proximity makes it easy to cross the wires.

Another theory presented by Dr. James A Giannini of Ohio State University is that foot fetishes are appealing because they are safe. He links the frequency of foot fetishes throughout history with times of increased STI/STD scares.

Some common themes in foot fetish art include:

• Female Worship: Foot worship often has ties to female worship. In the above theory by Dr. Giannini, he also found the foot fetishes become more common at times of female empowerment.
• Submission: Devotion to someone’s feet can be a form of submission. A literal example of the old phrase, “grovelling at one’s feet,” can give some erotic art patrons a thrill.
• Shoes & Jewellery: Shoes and foot jewellery are extensions of a clothing fetish that is specific to feet. Some foot fetish art pieces simply display a shoe and no foot.
• Foot Worship: Images of pampering, smelling, kissing, or licking feet are appealing to lovers of foot worship.

Themes in Watersports Art

Watersports art generally appeals to either urolagnia or urophilia. Urolagnia is a sexual pleasure from viewing or partaking in watersports. Urophilia is sexual arousal from urine itself.

Golden shower and watersports artwork has been found as far back as 100 AD. Here are a few common themes of watersports art:

• Taboo: One of the appeals of watersports artwork is taboo nature. A focus on breaking this taboo is liberating and exciting. Part of this taboo nature may be due to urination being treated as shameful or private at a young age.
• Intimacy: The private nature of urination can give it an intimate appeal.
• Power: Erotic prints with someone being urinated on display an exchange of power. It can also display dominance and submission.
• Humiliation: Urine fetish art may create pleasure in the audience by displaying humiliation. This may be from a dominant forcing one to urinate, consume, or smell urine.
• Urine: For urophiles, watersports art may be about the urine itself.

 

Shop Fetish Art

Fetish art contains many more specific fetishes, themes, and subjects. Art Provocateur carries a selection of leading nude and erotic art prints and originals. Shop fetish art from our gallery and explore what piques your interest.

 

Sexual restraint is an activity not limited to the modern age. Also known as bondage, this erotic and sensual art is performed by more people worldwide than most would presume. Bondage, in the BDSM subculture, is the practice of consensually tying, binding, or restraining a partner for erotic stimulation. Often viewed as taboo or a form of deviant kink, discussing tying up one’s partner during a sexual or sensual act the night before is hardly a common dinner conversation. Nonetheless, the passion and levels of sexual pleasure that can be achieved by participants of erotic and sexual restraint activities can be high.

Binding someone for the first time may open the door to years, even a lifetime, of enjoying erotic bondage.

Jay Wiseman, author of SM 101, a sort of guide book to all things bondage, writes, “Binding someone for the first time is a special moment. This is particularly true if they have never before been bound in an erotic context. (Most people played “cowboys and Indians” games during childhood.) A wise dominant recognizes this opportunity. They ‘imprint’ their play partner in a positive way. This may open the door to years, even a lifetime, of enjoying erotic bondage.”

Sexual and erotic restraint isn’t a new concept, clearly. The artistic portrayals of subjects restrained in a sexual way can be capable of evoking curious emotions, even for those who may have never experienced or pursued sexual restraint as an activity. Historical art pieces such as the marble relief by Erastus Dow Palmer (1863) represent a sort of sensual restraint. Today, even famous models like Betty Page and Dita Von Teese have explored posing nude for bondage fine art photography.

The modern novel 50 Shades of Grey, particularly, has shone a fresh light on the art of restraint for many people. The passionate relationship dynamic between the two main characters, which includes aspects of sexual restraint, sparked a bit of a phenomenon worldwide. Many were introduced to a more romantic and relational concept of restraint. Apparently, 50 Shades of Grey makes the art of restraint more appealing to many readers (and non-readers) as a form of passionate lovemaking as opposed to the brutal and taboo concept of bondage that so many in society have come to shun.

Regardless of 50 Shades of Grey popularity, however, the question often on many non-restraint-practitioners minds is, “Why?” Why is restraint practiced by so many during sex, and what are the reactions, emotions, and sensations that make it so popular with those who practice it? The emotions and sensations experienced by the person being restrained as well as the person performing the restraining can vary widely. Each experience is unique. That being said, when asking a person who enjoys being restrained what it is that they enjoy about it, they may respond that being bound can feel “safe” and “helpless” simultaneously. These feelings are usually experienced by someone playing a submissive role in the activity, and though everyone is an individual with their own desires and reasons, being bound can cause a submissive to experience a high with their partner that can bring them to sensual and sexual heights of ecstatic proportions.

Likewise, the dominant partner who performs the restraint, be it with rope, handcuffs, tape, or their own body can experience a sense of ecstasy and a rush that results from the sexual and erotic power they experience as they restrain their partner. Often, the partner performing the restraint is seeking the trust and obedience of whom they are restraining, and the result can be an overwhelming sense of emotional and sexual connection. The sensation the restrained partner may experience as a result of struggling against their restraints can be exhilarating as well.

Whether a novice practitioner or an expert, there are several types of restraining mediums available. Scarves or cotton rope can be very erotic tools to use, as they are both comfortable, soft, and sensual against the skin. Not everyone enjoys the same sensations, however, and handcuffs may be the choice for someone who enjoys the sensation of hard, cold metal around their wrists (or ankles, for that matter). Shackles, though slightly bulky, can be a very hot experience for someone seeking that completely “helpless” sensation. Tape can be a devilish tool for those with erotic fantasies of being kidnapped or the enjoyment of the sensation it brings to the skin as it is ripped away. When used with care and caution, it can make a naughty and erotic addition to a bondage tool kit.

Erotic art depicting bondage can be tempting to realize for ourselves, and it’s no wonder. The level of sexual heat to be experienced when restraining or being restrained during sexual encounters is an experience not forgotten. Bondage, when done well, can bring the body, spirit, and partners to a place of emotional vulnerability and sexuality never expected.

Art Provocateur Gallery presents a beautifully curated collection of BDSM and erotic art from around the world. We welcome you to peruse BDSM art for sale at ArtProvocateur.com.