Recently, I was approached by a fellow rigger who just received a bunch of flak for going on a rope bombing expedition. He asked for my help and support, and I give it whole-heartedly. However, his situation highlighted a few things about the whole concept of rope bombing, and how it relates to "outing the scene". So, I'd like to share a few of my experiences.
I've now gone on many guerrilla shibari excursions in several cities in two countries. Big or small, my list of cities I've tied publicly in keeps growing, and I have never had a single bad experience in dealing with the local constabulary, and only one negative one while dealing with a member of the general public. I contrast that with over a dozen positive interactions with the police, and more excellent interactions with the public than I can recall.
I live in a very very conservative city. While it may be a rather large city in both population and actual square mileage, it is a city where all local politics are dominated by a central huge and extremely conservative christian church. They are elitist, conservative to a T, and very much against progressive thought. Ever wonder why there isn't a working semi-public dungeon in Jacksonville? It's because of that church. Small town lack of openness to progressive thinking isn't limited to small towns, I assure you.
And yet, even though I've been approached by the police several times during my excursions, I've never once been asked to stop, told to leave, threatened with imprisonment or fines, or anything other than curiosity and a polite respect for the work I'm engaging in. Even when my bottom jokingly told a random passerby that she needed help (seriously? why?) the police officer just walked up, asked if everything was ok, and then ambled off on his own business.
That doesn't mean we've never been stopped. We were tying in Atlanta, but we were tying in the Coca-Cola park, and a police sergeant showed up and asked us what we were doing. He asked if we had permission from Coke to take photos there, and we said no. He then told us we couldn't shoot there, completely ignoring the fact that my partner was all tied up. He didn't care in the least about that. Not only that, when I asked him if he knew any better places to shoot, he suggested several that were in walking distance from where we were. He was polite, non confrontational, even helpful.
Again and again, we have gone on rope excursions, and again and again we've been approached by the curious, the impressed, the polite. Not everyone has been polite, but most are merely curious. The single instance where someone wasn't, it was an old hobo that was clearly crazy. Ranting and raving about how what we were doing "wasn't right". In the end? He decided that we should all just pee on the model hanging there, and went on and on about it.
Now, this is just my experience. When I set up for a rope run, I rarely plan anything specific. My partner and I go where we can and we just set up and tie. If I'm planning something risky, I plan it seriously. I take a crew with me, and we do it fast. We pre-tie everything we can, set up, shoot, take down and go. Even then, there are rules I follow.
For unplanned expeditions, I never shoot nudes or even nearly nudes. Fully clothed, at all times. I also never tie in any way that is provocative or sensual. It's all business machine tying. Quick, efficient, and as visually appealing as I can make it without including nudity or suggestive behavior. I also will not tie around children or the elderly. If I'm in a place where there are a bunch of kids playing, no dice. If I find a playground that looks like it'd be an awesome shoot location, I don't tie until late late at night.
If I am making a planned expedition, I never do full nudes. Pasties or electrical tape, with panties. To this date, I have never made an exception to this rule. I also make sure I have at least one other person with me. They either help with the tie, take the photo, or stand lookout. If I have a crew, we all have an assigned task, a specific goal in mind, and we plan each step of the event.
When we get curious onlookers, I answer their questions politely and quickly. I never turn it into a show or do anything to garner extra attention. I don't include anyone outside the group in what we're doing. I never let anyone touch my bottom, I never offer to tie anyone up, I never reach out and engage them. Speed, efficiency, and safety are my primary concerns, then I worry about the photograph. I keep my eyes open, I do not allow myself to get completely drawn into the act of tying, I maintain awareness of everything going on around me.
When the police arrive, we stop everything as safely and swiftly as possible. If I'm in the middle of a lift, I get my bottom to a safe place and stop. If I'm shooting, it's over. We converse with the police officer as clearly and honestly as possible. We are artists, engaging in a free speech activity, not intentionally breaking any laws. We comply with any lawful requests made by the police, politely responding to everything they ask.
And that's the key. At no point do I engage in aggressive or antagonistic activities. Even when the bum was hurling insults at us, we were polite and respectful. We did not engage with him at his level, nor did we just coldly dismiss him. Ultimately, we were forced to just ignore him as we finished up what we were doing, but never once did we allow ourselves to be drawn into a confrontation.
As for outing our scene or the scene of the people we are visiting? We've never had a complaint about it. I'm sure there have been a few that didn't like it, but they have never spoken to me about it. Because here's the thing. I'm not outing anyone. Everyone volunteers, no one shows up risking anything they're not prepared to risk. Even then, we don't engage in any activities that reflect any of the other aspects of the lifestyle. I don't hang my bottom and beat her. I don't ductape her mouth and play interrogation while they're hanging. I don't do abduction play, or humiliation/degradation. When I'm tying rope on the run, that's all I am doing. It is art, and it is fun, it is not about BDSM or even really about bondage.
Most people that watch what we are doing aren't thinking about fetish or how we're doing some sort of kinky bondage-y thing. We're joking around, laughing, playing. My bottom and I routinely laugh and talk to each other the entire time, maintaining an atmosphere of light-hearted fun, nothing threatening or dirty. Just two people, possibly lovers, having a good time expressing themselves in a way that is clearly artistic and fun.
So, in the end, rope bombing does have a risk, it is dangerous, for a multitude of reasons. Yes, someone could be offended and get butthurt by thinking that we are forcing our kink on other people, that we are outing. We really aren't, but that doesn't keep people from thinking that. Someone with ill intentions might walk up on your setup and decide to do something nefarious and dangerous. The cops might show up and you might get fined, or even spend the night in jail. There are risks, as with everything, but that doesn't stop me from engaging in my art.
When my muse calls, I can't help but listen.
