#1 2006-01-25 20:51:54

lamancha

Member

Registered: 2005-05-09

Posts: 8

A constrained art form

One reason Beautifulagony fascinates me is because it is a highly constrained art form. I have long been fascinated with the thought of art created in spite of constraints; I've always been interested in the clever ways that people can push the boundaries of a given system.

Beautifulagony has a few but very fundamental constraints. The performers have to film themselves coming with a head-and-shoulders shot without special effects or nudity. Presumably, for practical reasons, the individual agonies cannot be longer than ten minutes at the most (unless the company behind Beautifulagony was to start selling DVDs).

I have been thinking how the performers might push the boundaries of Beautifulagony's constraints. Here are some suggestions that jumped from the top of my head.

Firstly, masks - bondage masks and so forth, or gags, clingfilm, or some other clothing that people wear on their faces. Faces and shoulders are the only things we see, and thus it does not matter very much what the performers wear elsewhere (unless they are wearing bells, perhaps).

Secondly, framing. An agony could consist of a close-up of someone's mouth, perhaps, or a long-shot of someone's face framed by the environment - perhaps a long-shot of someone in a distant window.

Thirdly, although most of the agonies are shot from above facing down, there are some that are shot from the side and a couple that are shot as the performer is sitting up. The most recent Overkill raised the possibility of using head-mounted cameras as the performers walk around.

Fourthly, the recent Overkill series with Ruby made me wonder if the performers could try doing something that requires concentration as they orgasm. Perhaps the performers could try standing on one foot throughout, holding water in their mouth, reciting poetry, singing a classical aria, telling a joke, counting to a thousand, or keeping as expressionless a face as possible. The fascinating thing about orgasm is the loss of control, and it would be interesting to illustrate this explicitly.

I am thinking of Harry Mathews' classic book "Singular Pleasures", in which he describes people masturbating, including a race car driver who combines business with pleasure and meets an unfortunate end.

What else can be done with a camera, a face, and roving hands?

Bishop Of Bath & Wells

Member

From: United Kingdom

Registered: 2004-12-29

Posts: 530

Re: A constrained art form

Fourthly, the recent Overkill series with Ruby made me wonder if the performers could try doing something that requires concentration as they orgasm. Perhaps the performers could try standing on one foot throughout, holding water in their mouth, reciting poetry, singing a classical aria, telling a joke, counting to a thousand, or keeping as expressionless a face as possible. The fascinating thing about orgasm is the loss of control, and it would be interesting to illustrate this explicitly.

I love this idea, somebody else (pc elmo?) had a similiar one a few weeks ago, the 'Stay Composed Game'.

Bish

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"Today is the beginning of whatever comes next. Stop running, confront, and conquer!"

EazinAlong

Member

Registered: 2006-01-18

Posts: 14

Re: A constrained art form

This is an interesting concept.

Some agonistas are sort of addressing this with facial jewelry. In fact, in my brief presence here I've noticed that agonistas tend to have more body modification than the general population. That's not a positive/negative comment ... just an observation.

I wish more agonistas would talk to us ... maybe share their fantasy thoughts or how they feel when the camera is rolling (though I know they don't really roll anymore). Perhaps someone could take this to a higher level by reciting an erotic poem as he/she begins ... or even through the moment of agony.

Clever facial paint could also highlight/dramatize someone's features.

The background also contributes to the artistic tone.

I don't know how well these would elevate the erotic value, but lamancha was speaking of art, not necessarily erotica.

uri

Member

Registered: 2004-12-30

Posts: 609

Re: A constrained art form

Lots of good ideas, turns on the creativity. But I like the BA page as it is, ...it’s just perfect. I hope they never change anything because it is feared that it comes worse.

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Long live the hedonism, –enjoy your sexual pleasure!

al

Member

Registered: 2005-07-30

Posts: 139

Re: A constrained art form

... reciting an erotic poem ... through the moment of agony.

I personally feel this to be a bit... hm... unnecessary. For me, a neutral poem would seem suitable for a "game" like this. An erotic one... Naaah!

I like the BA page as it is, ...it’s just perfect. I hope they never change anything because it is feared that it comes worse.

You need not worry. I cannot imagine they change anything. But this includes the open possibilities of the Overkill section...

PC elmo

Member

From: Somewhere in the U.S.A.

Registered: 2004-12-28

Posts: 272

Re: A constrained art form

Fourthly, the recent Overkill series with Ruby made me wonder if the performers could try doing something that requires concentration as they orgasm. Perhaps the performers could try standing on one foot throughout, holding water in their mouth, reciting poetry, singing a classical aria, telling a joke, counting to a thousand, or keeping as expressionless a face as possible. The fascinating thing about orgasm is the loss of control, and it would be interesting to illustrate this explicitly.

I love this idea, somebody else (pc elmo?) had a similiar one a few weeks ago, the 'Stay Composed Game'.

Bish

As much as I like to take credit for clever ideas, that one actually came from Al.  I appreciate the thought, though. 

No, my overly-complexed mind (that's as in a mind that is usually very complex, not a psyhologically challenged mind with lots of "complexes" ) would probably concoct some experiment or two involving, say, the safety of a sound-proof room.  Maybe a script to recite, versus to scream out at the top of the lungs.

Or there's always the "sudden burst" theme, like women who are normally fairly quiet intentionally screaming out as they orgasm, or women who normally vocalize loudly intentionally broadcasting their buildup over the edge with accelerated heavy breathing.  You'd want to record a few first, say two or three, completely relaxed and undirected.  Then, if you see a pattern, try throwing in something ... different.

I guess these and the "stay composed" ideas are a constraint-within-constraint kind of thing -- of course, the whole point is to lose control completely at the key moments. 

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"There is always room for something more."