Shibari and Contemporary Art

Shibari can be a form of contemporary art. First of all, art should not fulfill a practical purpose. Now, anyone who knows Shibari has seen that, even though it is helpful to relieve stress or to concentrate, it is actually a very contemplative activity. Point number two, it requires a specific set of skills, just like any other art form does. Shibari workshops and training are necessary. It is not something you can learn intuitively or by watching videos on Youtube. Thirdly, and this is a very important point, artistic works have meaning. Now, a Shibari scene, a suspension, or a session of self-tying has a strong emotional meaning. Anyone who has tried it knows that.

A Shibari scene is a kind of performance, since there are participants, and it takes place in front of an audience. Although uncommon, nothing prevents including lightning and music along with Shibari, just as if it were a more conventional scenic performance. Shibari scenes can tell a story without words, in the same way ballet does. 

Another important point, and that’s why this article deals with its relation not just to art, but to contemporary art, is that Shibari can tell us a lot about today’s society. Kink and BDSM practices had not until recently gained mainstream acceptance. Moreover, domination and submission are still surrounded by myths and misunderstandings. This same thing happened to the new currents of art when they first invaded the galleries. 

Shibari is a mirror of many changes that have taken place with regards to sexuality, gender roles, and even human nature itself. The door is open for all performers and artists, and the only limits are imagination, safety, and consent.

Only time will tell if Shibari becomes an important part of contemporary art.