Figure Bound is a high art concept created to capture the best of artists interpretations of live kinbaku, or erotic Japanese rope bondage. As a brain child of Kodai Artist and Don Sir, the idea was conceived at an Arizona rope bondage convention’s figure drawing class. As Don Sir tied, Kodai Artist drew and captured not just the final tie, but the act of tying itself. After this chance meeting both artists believed this was something that needed to happen in Southern California on a regular basis. Thus Figure Bound 1, 2, and 3 were born with a final art show to culminate as a way for the participating artists to show and maybe sell their work. The pieces the artists create are beautiful, challenging, and utterly unique.
The event starts with an explanation of times and poses in the studio. Generally the models warm up with ten 2 minute poses sans rope, which does not give the artists much time to create a detailed rendering of each pose; this is also a warm up for the artists. Next some basic ties are applied to the nude models who pose for 10-15 minutes, again not much time, the final round is a 20-25 minute pose occasionally with a partial or full suspension. For most of the artists who participate this is the first time they’ve seen a model tied in rope so they are immediately challenged (often giddily so) with not just capturing the pose and figure, but the added complexity of the rope bondage. At the end of the 4 hour event, everyone is spent yet recharged by looking at what was created, offering praise or critiques for the work, and ultimately basking in the afterglow of what feels like a resurgence of bohemian art.
After the final event and art show Don Sir and Kodai Artist have plans to continue to offer a space and opportunity to combine the age old art of figure drawning with the age old art of kinbaku including classes and other art events.
