Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mara Kore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
Being heavily tattooed and modified leads a lot of people to think that I’m something I’m not. I get asked if I’ve been to prison, if I’m homeless, if I have a job. People assume that I’m on drugs, and say awful things, particularly on social media. I get many dirty looks and overhear plenty of whispered conversations. Honestly, though, none of the things people say could be farther from the truth. Some people get their high, their boost, from driving fast or doing “normal” activities, and I get mine from modifying mine and other people’s bodies(safely, of course!) and performing in the air with hooks in my skin and helping other people achieve the same.
Mara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been interested in body modification since I was a pre-teen with unrestricted internet access. I’ve now been a piercer for 15 years, and a body modification artist for nearly 4 years. I’ve been doing hook suspensions for just over 2 years, and started my own group, Switchblade Suspension, a little over a year ago. I’m semi-retired as a piercer now, and focus primarily on suspensions. My team’s name sounds daunting, but the goal is always the same: to create beauty in a taboo artform and give people the best experience that I possibly can. Making people feel comfortable and safe while they cross a mental and physical boundary, and giving them the ultimate sense of accomplishment is such an incredible feeling. Suspension isn’t just an act, it creates a beautiful bond between all involved, and we all share in the thrill of achievement for each person involved.
I want to show my craft to the world, and let people see how great we “insane” people can be. I welcome anyone and everyone to reach out and ask questions, they’ll never be met with hostility, only welcoming words and invitations to step into a completely different side of life.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, it’s seeing the happiness on people’s faces when I’m able to help them reach their goals. It’s seeing someone’s entire perception of me and my industry change as we speak about the passion for the craft.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Absolutely. People that aren’t involved in body modification often struggle to understand why we do what we do, and the misunderstanding through lack of available knowledge often breeds intolerance or hate for people that are different than the norm. I do what I do because it makes me happy, it’s calming and allows me to break past barriers that would otherwise be a brick wall to a feather pillow. I make other people happy and help them achieve their goals, and that means so much to me. What I do feels like home, and I would love to share the experience with anyone that is curious about the “what’s and why’s.”
Contact Info: