Countess Vera Gottlieb Anna von Lehndorff, better known in the fashion world as Veruschka, became famous not only as one of the first highly paid supermodels, but also how creative body art artist. She became the author and at the same time a model of extraordinary, bright, memorable works of art painted on her own body. Verushka knew how to merge with nature and become part of the landscape - even a piece of rusty iron or a tattered wall. At that time they wrote no less about her talent for transformation than about her unconventional beauty.
Her talents were versatile: she not only posed for glossy magazines, but also wrote scripts, acted in films, and, perhaps, her acting abilities played an important role in her experiments with body art. With equal ease, she became part of living nature, transforming into wild animals, and took the form of inanimate objects, merging with stones or a concrete wall.
The first experiments with body art began in 1966, when Veruschka traveled with photographer Peter Berg to Africa for a photo shoot. Then she took black shoe polish and smeared it on her face and body. Since this all started. wild nature evoked the most daring associations: “I painted myself like animals and plants, for example, a face in the shape of a leaf,” Veruschka recalls about her first body art photo shoot.
In 1978, experiments with body art continued in Mozambique. The meeting with the artist Holger Trülsch became a turning point in the life of the model. Together they created new images: “During our collaboration my body became a canvas. I turned into a living sculpture,” says Veruschka. Preparation of paints desired color could take the whole day, a lot of time was spent on makeup - from 10 to 12 hours. By choosing the most similar paint color, they achieved the visual effect of body transparency.
The artist and the model were especially attracted to damaged materials and rusty surfaces - against the background of these imperfections, the ideal lines of a naked female body looked surreal and bewitching. “We were attracted to traces of the transitory. It is everywhere and everywhere. Nothing lasts forever. I am after the transitory,” the model explains the concept of their work.
Critics saw in these works a thirst to go beyond the boundaries of the human body, to overcome form and boundaries, to dissolve in the world, to be naked to the point of disintegration and decomposition of the body, to become naked matter. It’s probably difficult to say more precisely about this unusual body art.
Body painting has existed for centuries and is characteristic of different cultures Pacific Islands, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Mehndi popular in India - traditional technique body painting with henna is common even in modern Western cultures.
Since the 1960s, body art has enjoyed a resurgence in the West, but it still struggles to be recognized as an art form, which is disputed by some figures. But this direction has gathered an army of followers and admirers.
Body art is usually associated with nudity, but it does not necessarily involve a completely naked body; painting can be done on separate areas skin of a partially dressed model.
To enjoy body art in all its glory, it is best to visit the corresponding festivals. They take place annually around the world, bringing together star body painting artists and lesser-known enthusiasts. Most major festival body art takes place in Austria in the city of Bled. This large-scale event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Similar events are held in different regions America, Europe and Asia.
How to become a body art artist
We admire the fantastic talent of body painting artists, but it is no secret that anyone can take part. If you prefer to paint rather than be painted, find yourself a model.
First of all, be patient as body art takes a long time. It is believed that six hours is a very short interval for a full body painting.
The main supplies are brushes, sponges, alcohol, a palette, a bottle of water and, of course, body paints, which are sold in specialized stores. They are non-toxic and safe.
Before you start, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to draw. It wouldn't hurt to make a few sketches.
Body painting can be intimidating at first, but in a friendly atmosphere, both artist and model quickly adapt to it. The pressure on the skin should be moderate, but not too light, as it may have a tickling effect. Be sure to tell your model how to remove the paint afterwards. Read the instructions, but one of the best ways To remove the pattern - dishwashing liquid.
Use floor coverings and avoid paints of any hazard. Finally, clean all supplies and wash your hands.
And for inspiration, check out this selection of 58 beautiful body art images that may inspire you to create your own masterpiece.
Snake
Amazing resemblance to a real snake, but in fact these are human hands.
Frog
One of the most famous artists by body, Johannes Stotter created this tropical frog by painting five people.
Autumn
Another masterpiece by Johannes Stotter.
Urban graffiti on the body
Illusion is common to all body art, as seen in this clever greenery market installation.
Graffiti on a girl.
International Body Painting Festival 2013
Work from the festival, double painting and true work art.
Flower Girl
Another photo from last year's international festival.
Photo by Federico Rossi
A wonderful example of expressive body painting.
Body art show
Paintings on the body are used in the theater or to create an original show.
Halloween
Some of the best Halloween costumes come in the form of body art.
Starlight Night
Fine art on the body - body art and Van Gogh.
Camouflage
Body painting can be a great game and camouflage.
Hand painting with henna - mehndi
Traditional technique in India and some Middle Eastern countries.
Body painting in the African tribe
Children of the Ethiopian Surma tribe show off their traditional body paint.
Incredible makeup
Coloring can create incredible effects on the face and body.
Lotus by Trina Merry
Beautiful flower arrangement by artist Trina Merry.
Body painting - hand
Sometimes the body drawing is stunningly realistic.
Body art- a phrase borrowed from in English. The term is translated as “body art”. That is, the concept is comprehensive and indicates many things that transform the external nature of a person. Implants, branding, scarring and tattoos are all part of body painting.
Body painting is also part of it. In the West it is called body painting. But in Russia the term has not caught on - it is difficult to remember and is not associated with drawings on the body. Therefore, in our country they are designated as body art, without taking into account the other facets of this concept. To be fair, we will consider all aspects of the art of the body.
Tattoo as part of the art of body painting
A classic tattoo differs from body painting in terms of service life. Conventional body painting is superficial and easily washed off. Pigments for tattoos penetrate inside the cells, where they remain for life. Some paints may wash out or fade in the sun. But, general outlines patterns and color spots will remain.
They persist even after a person’s death if the body is mummified. So, in 1948, Sergei Rudenko found several embalmed bodies on the border with China. A Russian archaeologist discovered multiple ones on the remains. The bodies were sent for analysis and it was found that they were about 2,400 years old.
So it already existed then body art. painting It was applied not with needles, but with pointed sticks. This technique was also used in Egypt. On its territory they found a tattooed mummy, whose age is about 4,000 years. The priestess of one of the ancient temples, in which she was buried, used her body as a canvas.
Some modern ones will not provide any information to future archaeologists. The point is not even that the culture of mummification of bodies has been lost, but that the drawings simply will not be preserved. Many designs of the 21st century can no longer be called tattoos. Masters do not use needles. The skin is colored with brushes.
Natural coloring pigments are used, for example, henna. It seeps into the cells, but not deeply. Within a couple of weeks after application, the patterns disappear, are washed off with water and go away along with dead epidermal cells. This is the name of the top layer of skin. Temporary tattoos are a kind of transition from baudiart to body painting.
Body painting as part of body art
Body painting is not inferior to ancient times. Suffice it to recall the wild tribes of Africa, the Indians North America who applied frightening “make-up” before hunting and battles. Often, not the whole body was painted, but only the face. This direction of painting is called face art. The art of face painting is closely related to the field of makeup.
It's no secret that make-up sometimes requires masking some elements on the face. For example, makeup artists cover up redness with green concealer. IN color wheel Herbaceous tones are located opposite the red ones, neutralizing them. Apply regular foundation on top and... you get perfect skin.
Naked body art, that is, painting a naked body, also requires some kind of disguise. The video below has an age limit of 18+, so if you are under the age of majority, do not press the play button. By clicking it you confirm that you are over 18 years old.
Not everyone dares to appear before the master, so to speak, in all his glory. Therefore, silicone stickers are used. They are attached with glue, covering secondary sexual characteristics, for example, nipples. The surface of the overlays is designed for easy paint distribution and rapid hardening. The color of the stickers matches the skin, does not stand out on the body and does not spoil body art
Photo Special stickers are usually offered by foreign stores. Bodypainting is most developed in the West and America. There is a salon procedure, a lot of competitions with substantial prizes are held. In Russia there was an attempt to organize a national championship, but in 2002 it was canceled.
The phenomenon was partially explained nudists. Body art for them it is their favorite “clothing”. But in Russia the climate is not conducive to nudism or body painting. But in the same states there are thousands of nudist communities. Therefore, the service is in demand “ body art". Video professional works are posted online and included in a portfolio.
Worldwide body art association has existed since 2001. The best masters who are registered in the organization are foreigners. Famous Italian Johannes Stetter. He is not only an artist, but also the organizer of a folk group. The man’s musical preferences are reflected in many of his works. The paintings are original and full of mysticism.
Master Cho-San is famous in Japan. She specializes in the visual merging of people with nature. Models are set against the backdrop of mountains, forests, interiors and painted to match them. As a rule, professional fashion models act as “canvases”. To the common man It’s not easy to stand for 5-6 hours. But you get it for free artistic masterpiece, and sometimes, additional payment for work.
In the USA they are ready to pose for free if James Kuhn draws. Only this master doesn’t need models. A man paints himself. Specializes in body art on the face, your own. Jame depicts self-portraits, but modifies his appearance—he appears in the form of a boar, or a shaman. There are already almost 400 works captured in the photo.
Scarring as part of body art
Body art – body painting and... it doesn’t matter what it’s made of. Scarring is the creation of patterns with blades. In ancient times, glass shards and sharp stones were used. Evidence of scarification is almost 5,000 years old. The technique was invented African tribes. On dark-skinned bodies they are not visible, but compositions of scars are noticeable.
They are voluminous, so they catch the eye. By the way, to make the scars more convex, they use the juices of poisonous plants. They are poured onto deep cuts. Previously, the technique was used everywhere, but now only some women in Sudan use it.
Scarification is included in body art Buy The service is also available under the name scarification. This is the official name of the technique, also coming from the English language. The term is not popular, and the phenomenon is not popular either. According to statistics, out of 100 people with only 1-2 also undergo scarring.
Firstly, there are few smart craftsmen. Secondly, the pain during the procedure is strong, and in order for the drawing to look impressive, large areas of the body must be involved. So, most people choose the usual body art Women Scarification is especially rare.
Implantation as a type of body art
Implantation is a concept made up of two Latin words - “inside” and “I plant.” Initially, the term was medical. But gradually implantation became part of the trend body art Photos confirm that it is possible to push metal balls and silicone molds under the skin for the sake of beauty. Many people find this beauty controversial, but that’s all modern Art. It is intended to shock, make you think, worry, and not just enjoy the ideality of the images.
So instead of body art paints implants are taken. They can be round, in the form of bagels, stars, pyramids. You can choose any variations and create a composition from them. Some, for example, ask for horns on the forehead. Others want spikes sticking out of their fingers, like brass knuckles.
The parts can be left under the skin, or partially brought out. It all depends on the wishes of the client who has chosen an unusual body art Women photos, as a rule, are laid out with stars and devil horns. Men prefer to radically change their appearance, for example, greatly enlarging one of the frontal lobes. Bodypainting video The video below will clearly show how implants are installed, but I would like to warn you that this spectacle is not for the faint of heart.
Branding as types of body art
Officially, the procedure is called branding. It is believed that the movement has its origins in the slave system. In it, special signs were applied to the workers’ bodies, indicating that the people were slaves. The drawings were made with hot iron seals. This is the technique of applying patterns even now. So, branding is not included in the list " pregnant body art" The pain is such that involuntary contraction of the internal muscles can occur, and this is one of the causes of miscarriages.
If body art body painting on photo, as a rule, is planar, then branding gives convex patterns. When the redness and scabs from burns go away, thick, voluminous lines remain. They are a little lighter than the rest of the skin, not . Therefore, to highlight the drawings, many take sunbathing.
Branding is rarely included in the category porn body art" View human suffering excites few. The procedure is painful and the healing of burns is painful. You have to refrain from scratching and constantly treat the wounds with antiseptics.
