ModCon: The Secret World Of Extreme Body Modification (Paperback)

~ Shannon Larratt (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In May of 1999 members of the heavy modification set made their way from around the world to attend an event that was to become infamous. They came from as far away as Japan and varied in age from eighteen to their early seventies. No matter how far they travelled or what age they were this would be the first time for most to be surrounded by this many people with a shared interest - extreme body modification.

Practitioners and participants who have dedicated their bodies and lives to fields such as tattooing, branding, implants, subincision, amputation, castration, scarification, nullification… this event was only for the serious and as such it was invite only. It goes without saying, none of those invites were too media.

"ModCon: The Secret World of Extreme Body Modification" is the first peak for most into this most secretive of worlds. It is the culmination of three ModCon events held over a three-year period and documented by its organizer, Shannon Larratt. A life long contributor to the community and publisher of BMEzine.com, Shannon is the world's foremost authority on the subject of extreme body modification. As well as containing comprehensive and informative information on the subject, "ModCon: The Secret World of Extreme Body Modification" also contains stunning images by photographer Phillip Barbosa whose contributions to the community include a complete visual documentation of every ModCon event as well as helping organize the I Was Cured suspension group in Toronto, Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: BMEbooks (March 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0973008008
• ISBN-13: 978-0973008005
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,121,429 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you have the courage, take a walk on this extreme edge, November 15, 2002

By	Rae Schwarz "post-modern Renaissance woman" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

If you've read the Re/Search volume MODERN PRIMITIVES and ever wondered where everyone was going to go from there, this is the book. If you think everyone now has a tattoo or a piercing, ask yourself how many people do you know with a branding or cutting? Do any of your friends have implants? Do you think your body might be improved by amputation? This is area of the world where MODCON takes the reader.

ModCon, a private convention/gathering of extreme body art enthusiasts and artists, is documented in this volume of interviews and pictures, with some material coming from the author's private collection. You will see implants, surgical alterations and every form of permanent skin art, all modifications and changes made at the wishes of the wearer. The pictures are highly-detailed, full-color and sometimes disturbingly graphic in their medical nature.

As a person who has collected body art for almost twenty years now, I have seen a lot of unique people. I bought this book because it went beyond anything I have seen before. The interviews reveal an incredible array of focus and desire when it comes to why everyone is doing these things, as well as varying, and sometimes scary, degrees of will to carry out the mental vision for the physical body. If you want a book that will confront you with questions and shake up your perceptions about humans and how they view and use their bodies, this is one of the ones. Collectors of "the extreme" should also take note.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not for the squeemish, July 18, 2004

By	J. Cook "Scabboy" (Buffalo) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anyone who isn't actively involved with (either practicing, getting or wanting) the HEAVY body mod scene definitely shouldn't buy, read or look at this book.

It documents hard modifications such as tongue splitting, 3d/transdermal implants, subincisions, penectomies, glansectomies, scarificaion, etc.

The book has alot of photographs and articles on the subjects listed and is a great book to have for anyone interested, however the articles are seriously lacking perosnal experiences in some cases. The book is definitely not worth the nearly $200 listed above. I got mine from bmeshop.com for $29.99

There is a DVD (that I have) that accompanies this book (also sold at bmevideo.com) that documents hardcore procedures at the actual ModCon.

ModCon2 book also in the works.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A picture is worth 1000 scars, April 1, 2002

By	Kevin S. Porter "Scar Nerd." (Philadelphia, Pa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I admit it. I'm biased. In 1998 I helped create MODCON with Shannon. Pictures of my grinning mug appear in this volume. Friends of mine appear throughout. Me telling you it's a "must own" is, if I may be honest, about as ethical as me telling you to buy me a monkey. But here goes: If you are interested in surgical body modifications- YOU MUST OWN THIS BOOK.

Of the 100 or so books in my library dealing with Body Art and Body Modification, this one captures the "who/what/where/why and how" more than any other. It also shows you real people doing extraordinary things to themselves (and to others).

It's intention isn't to shock you. (which it will)
It's intention isn't to scare you. (which it might)
It's intention is to educate you. (which it does)
It's intention is to excite you. (which it does)

I do have to mention that is features VERY explicit photographs of sometimes bloody surgical procedures. It features nudity. Its features anatomical... specimens.

But hey- you weren't looking for a Church Hymnal, were ya?

If you even have the slightest interest in the possibility of transcendence via unconventional surgery- I will repeat- BUY THIS BOOK.

And while you are in a spending mood- why don't you buy me that monkey I was telling you about earlier?