Conversation w/ Sasha Marini (Part II)

"Denim" by Albert Rugolotto

Sasha Marini: Have a look at these pictures; my purpose is very clear. (Above)
Forbidden Light: These pictures are poking at the pervert in me! Looks like two shots of the same stroke!

S.M.: Exactly, they were...

F.L.: You were air fucking?

S.M.: I was with my mind.  It's not about who you are fucking, it's important that you are fucking in your mind first of all and then your body will follow your feelings...

Sasha Marini: What do you think of this photo? (Above)
Forbidden Light: I love how dirty and industrial the set is...The female model seems a little contrived.

S.M.: As with all female models.  There are more pictures where I am alone:

F.L.: I was having a conversation with Gonzalo Benard and we were talking about how men are automatically categorized as "homoerotic" just because they are the center of attention.  Thus, some shoots have token women to establish their commercial market.

S.M.: Exactly! Nothing to add, just true.

F.L.: I will admit, I'm envious that you're touching her backside. Do you happen to be gay? LOL

S.M.: No, never happened.  I have an open mind but I've never slept with a man.

F.l.: Wow...so you're like, hetero-flexible?  It's good practice to 'never say never'...

S.M.: You got the point, let's see what is going to happen.  I'm not afraid; not shy.

F.L.:  (Conjuring very dirty thoughts of a having role in Decadence II)

Forbidden Light: Have you ever thought of doing self portraits?

Sasha Marini: No. I have no self estimate?

F.L.: Estimate?

S.M.: I'm not objective; I don't see myself as you can see me.

F.L.: What do you see?

S.M.: A cheap man.  Unloved.  Not appreciated.  Not understood.  Ok, stop talking about me.

F.L.: I feel like that very often.

S.M.: So many people don't believe in my skills, nobody. Because I am different: I don't have usual models features and my attitude is unusual.

F.L.:  Amazing.

     The remainder of our conversation became larger than words, too big to fit into the format of an interview. We both feel plagued by this 'openness'.  Being so open, that emptiness becomes a natural side effect.  So open, that honesty becomes involuntary, as does the expenses that comes with such truth.

     Accompanying this open nature is the pervasive feelings of abandonment.  To be so available, only to go unacknowledged.  To welcome the entire world, for no one to show up.  To tell the stories of so many people, silence becomes the only translation.  I love him for putting a face on a feeling I know all too well.

     The next time you see Sasha in the magazines or posted on your favorite blog; look him in the eyes.  Give him enough attention to hear what he is trying to say.  The fashion, the fetish, the physique is merely a shell; a masculine yet soft spirit dwells slightly beneath the surface.  Look into his eyes and you may catch a reflection of yourself.  I sure did.

    

"Beauty" by Alberto Rugolotto

Conversations w/ Sasha Marini (Part I)

Forbidden Light: Oh my..... You had a fever...

Sasha Marini: What do you mean?

F.L: You look as though you were unfurling...pre-orgasmic...clinching.

S.M: You will see in the finale.

F.L: I can't wait to see it.  I've always wondered this, do you have any experience with BDSM or are you playing a role?

S.M: It was a role, but, keep in your mind this is a behind-the-scenes video. Everything is real.

F.L: Well, it's very, very sexy; you seem entranced.

S.M: I can't tell you if I'm sexy on that video; I was working on my purpose.

F.L: I cant believe you're unsure about whether you're sexy; you're giving off a lot of heat.

S.M: I don't think to be sexy or I don't try to look sexy. I'm just me as I am in real life.  That's all.

F.L: So this isn't a role, after all.

F.L: This is one of my favorite images of you. (Posted above) Where were you here?

S.M: I love that picture, this image is so full of meanings. I was in Paris, shooting in Alberto Rugolotto's studio.

F.L: You exude Christ to me, very sacrificial...selfless...exhausted.

S.M: I'm so tired man, not only my body, but something in my deep.

F.L: In your "deep", I love that!

S.M: My life wasn't so easy and even my career is very difficult, maybe that's why I'm like that.

F.L: You really are real; you aren't playing a role at all, this is how you feel.

S.M: I just wanna follow my mood and feelings that's all.  I don't know, man, how it will be and where I'm going.

F.L:  Well, where ever you're going...its beautiful

Part II

Conversations w/ Sasha Marini (Introduction)

Model < Man

Interview < Conversation

Crush < Connection

     Wearing a saddle with lace panties.  Crucified on a tree as a sexy understudy of Christ.  You can find this man's image all over your favorite blogs.  Sasha Marini, the central figure to Albert Rugolotto's highly influential spread "Decadence", has been a long time fixation of mine.  Thanks to him, my recent fantasies all require a stylist.

     Sasha is surprising in many ways.  I found all my assumptions regarding models horribly wrong.  In our conversations, I was astonished to find that he is a man just like me.  Plagued with insecurities.  Uncertain about his contribution to the world.  Searching for himself.  He fails to see his beauty...the same way we do.

     I find him beautiful in a much different way than before.  Getting to know him has added another dimension to his work.  I, now, wonder where is inspiration comes from as he screams while wrapped in tape.  I wonder what thoughts pervade his mind as he wearily drapes himself across his own lap.  I wonder if I have the same motivations when I'm locked in my fetish gear.

It is my pleasure and honor to present to you a slice of my conversations w/ Sasha Marini!

 

An Interview w/ Gonzalo Benard

 
     Nails.  Guts.  Whiskers.  Mud.  Forgotten byproducts of life are bought to light once again.  Organic materials are reintroduced as a artistic medium.  Removing color and polish from his art, photographer Gonzalo Benard reunites us with the structures that supports our beauty and our lives.  Bone.  Bark.  Blood.  Birds.  His work reconnects the human condition with our larger ecology.
     I recently had the pleasure of having a conversation with Mr. Benard, I was very surprised to find him very inviting and giving of himself.  After gushing about how inspired I was by his work, he became interested in seeing what I'd come up with if he sent me some images; the result was PLEASE

To experience more of his work, purchase his book:
 

In a Non Sense World

With his permission,
I am able to indulge my readers with a text of our conversations...


CLICK HERE