 |
| LouisN - Captive in Cage |
This inventive image of a captive restrained within a bell-like cage or frame was produced by an artist called LouisN. The frame clamps his legs (firmly indeed) in a wide spread, leaving him open to all kinds of possibilities. The scrolled decoration suggests a captor with an expressive taste in decor.
All titles in this article are mine
 |
| LouisN - Captive Boxer in Steam Punk Restraint |
This image from a videoette shows a boxer being beaten while trapped in an even more exotic restraint apparatus. One with design influences ranging from medieval Gothic and heavy metal to Victorian Steam Punk. In his plight he's probably too bewildered to appreciate such nuances.
 |
| LouisN - Bondage in Black |
This leather scene is almost mundane by comparison, but the normal conventions for this genre are imaginatively adapted. For example the artist has substituted silky shorts for the usual leather, not tight either, but worn loose enough to stimulate the wearer.
The outdoor setting introduces variables which are normally rigorously excluded from leather activities (except for the community's Summer Camps!). Namely, the threat of public discovery and adverse weather, an extra layer of uncertainty and potentially psychological and physical torment too.
The leather apron worn by the master here makes an unexpected connection to recent mitchmen posts about Guys in Uniform (1975) and 'Leather Merchants' (Dolphin/Royale, 1961).
 |
| LouisN - Bound and Gagged |
The artist gives full rein to his preference for silky clothing in this fanciful re-imagining of a 'Bound and Gagged' magazine cover. In the UK, tracksuit bottoms like this were once widely associated with a certain type of unrefined, ill disciplined, young man, earthy qualities that are still irresistibly attractive to many gays.
Such men also make appropriate subjects for those with an interest in correction. The high-tech chair used here makes a quirky combination with dungeon style restraint chains, but the heavy iron collar and fetters ought to give any hooligan pause for thought. The electro mechanism suggested in this image is potentially extreme, as evidenced by the subject's profuse sweating. But it's dangerous in reality, strictly for fantasy, don't do it.
Imaginary magazine covers like this are an interesting new genre of gay art entirely created by the AI revolution, I've featured examples by Remixing Reality at 'X' in the past. Paradoxically the real thing is rapidly disappearing as a result of the current technological tsunami.
The sepia, aged look of LouisN's simulation is a sad reminder that the much missed, original Bound and Gagged title ceased publication 21 years ago, in 2005.
LouisN - Track Suited Jogger Restrained
This videoette offers a less drastic but simpler and equally unconventional disciplinary mechanism for youthful bad behaviour. It majors on frustration with personally-focussed restraint that avoids the pitfall of allowing corrupting fraternisation with the other rogues in a conventional prison.
The silky pants show their erotic worth by giving glimpses of the groin contours within. There's also a curious alignment of this area with a diagonal bar in the background, creating a classic phallic extension. Did AI dream that up on its own?
Sorry, but mitchmen blog feed subscribers
must visit the site to view the videos.
 |
| LouisN -Soccer Player Restrained |
Unsurprisingly, this artist is also drawn to the tactile and visual qualities of flimsy, modern soccer kit. Like the tracksuit bottoms, this sporting connection offers ample excuses for restraint and punishment. The resemblance of this strip to that of the Argentine national side might prompt wry pleasure for some readers, following events in the recent World Cup.
In this set-up, the usual gag ingredient is replaced by a complex, metal tube which seems to incorporate a valve. The flexible end leads to bottle which is presumably collecting the captive's drool, though not all of it. A chain attached to the bottom of the bottle suggests it can be raised and inverted to return the fluid, if the overseer deems it appropriate.
The extensive, shibari style roping pulls the kit tight around the player's torso but leaves it loose, but erotically framed, at the crotch. A chain stretched across the captive's thighs provides a solid, back-up restraint.
 |
| LouisN - Soccer Player Worshipped |
Ultimately, the attraction of silky fabrics lies in their flimsiness and sensuality to the touch and LouisN explores this in two memorable videos that I commend to you. This one shows a player gagged and spread-eagled on a tilted platform, dressed in all-white, Real Madrid kit. He is attended by a similarly dressed fan (or team-mate maybe) who teases and worships him. Apart from the obvious interest here, the captive's authentically chunky thighs are the highlight of this piece.
 |
| LouisN - Soccer Player Explored |
There's a similar set-up here except that the restraint position is different and unsubtly directs our attention in a slightly different direction. A sensitive place that is teasingly approached, but never quite reached. Notice the stray fingertip lurking in this image taken from the video.
In the end, the teasing seems to magically elevate the player under examination to heights of ecstasy. Not as technically accomplished as the previous example but no less arousing.
 |
| LouisN - Cage Bondage |
The artist's preoccupation with shiny material takes an unexpected direction here. I can't easily connect shiny, cargo pants with a real world situation, except stage performers - or pop stars perhaps, who I suppose do misbehave from time to time. He certainly has the look (to me) of a mischief-maker, but I may be unfairly stereotyping him. The shibari ropes pleasantly frame his attractive physique and (thrusting?) groin.
Containment within a metal frame is graphic and suggestive, but the restraint shown here does not take significant advantage of the 'tethering' opportunities except in the vertical direction. There
is an element of mouth punishment as well as restraint, suggestive
of bad language being the cause of his discomfort. The uncompromising, spiked metal collar works well with the gag. It makes a sinister, dark conjunction with the rope dangling above though.
 |
| LouisN - Lashed Astride A Bench 1 |
More shiny pants here, highlighting this man's shapely backside but not offering much protection, although it's not actually the target. Shiny skin and swirling vapours in the background project the impression of hot punishment.
 |
| LouisN - Lashed Astride A Bench 2 |
AI has not got the hang of depicting the fall of the lash yet, but there's a short video of this event you can view at the artist's website (link at foot of post)
 |
| LouisN - Spread-Eagled Captive |
We're going outside for the next few images. A good-looking man chained inside a wooden frame like this is exposed to the best and the worst of the elements, not to mention anything his captor might throw at him.
His shiny blue briefs seem a trifle incongruous, the black shorts in image 3 seem more 'in keeping' with this situation. He's looking down at them as though they don't belong to him, which could indicate an element of ritual and performance in the proceedings. The colour co-ordinated gag supports that interpretation, although I can't think of a witty or erotic reason for using the colour, royal blue. Maybe he's just amazed how nice they make him feel, reminding him of his manliness, ready to face his punishment.
The captive restrained inside a square frame has echos of an image by Etienne/Stephen, and it's a device much used by Amalaric too. (More Amalaric at mitchmen blog).
 |
| LouisN - Jungle Captive |
The artist temporarily abandons shiny fabrics here and lets his shibari (and the innate qualities of the captive) do the talking. He can't speak for himself at the moment! He's not alone in his predicament (see right-hand side) which suggests we are in sacrifice territory. Borne out by the carved column behind him.
Young lads are easy meat for this sort of thing, I'd like to see a more mature, white explorer put on the spot. One is in a forthcoming post. This is still a nice image though.
 |
| LouisN - Captive In The Snow |
This scenario is at the opposite end of the climatic scale, but the captive can't complain, one of his captors has even less on than he does, but I suppose he can scoot off to a cabin or waiting car at any time to warm up.
In the video from which this comes, there's sensuality inflicted on the captive rather than violence, with the tugging of his pants more massage than menace. I like the scenario and arched torso, but a fabric fan will enjoy more the subtle attractions of the clothing choice.
 |
| LouisN - Captive Jogger. |
In from the cold but readied for suspension in bondage and sweating it already. This is the best of the lot for my money. A great looking man with a super bod. Immobilised in economical shibari his pride and joy has been packaged up impressively. So touchable.
I've christened him as a jogger, diverted from his morning run by an admirer, who bears him no ill-will, but just wants to breakfast on his sumptuous physique. He does so in the video, reproduced below, and there's more where that came from at LouisN at 'X'
.
LouisN - Track suited Jogger Restrained
For more mitchmen posts like this, click on the labels below.
