About this Event
DK Blackfish
Since 2015, DK Blackfish (they/them) has evolved from being a non-binary, bondage model into a prominent lifestyle rope artist, specializing in the Japanese-style of rope bondage known as Shibari. For over a decade, DK Blackfish has been influenced by many Japanese and U.S.-based rope artists through private training in Japan and U.S. intensives. DK Blackfish's rope work fuses modern and traditional Shibari techniques into a distinguished, individualistic-amalgamation appealing to fellow rope practitioners around the world and to the general public. In private practice, DK Blackfish combines power-play dynamics, influenced by professional dominants, with the beautification and intricacy of Japanese rope bondage aesthetics and intensity to create a unique transformative, empowering, and mindful rope experience.
Two-Day Rope Intensive
DK Blackfish will introduce their personal fusion of various Japanese-influenced and home-based rope techniques across this two-day course. The course will evolve from a brief assessment period into floor ties and impactful partial and full suspensions.
DK Blackfish will introduce concepts of hijacking the body’s homeostasis through progressive low-to-high-impact tying sessions, exploring the neurochemical effects of tying and how a tying pair may use this understanding when moving into more challenging ties.
The course covers key fundamentals of advanced rope tying and DK Blackfish’s TK-Third Rope style, with various ways to tie the arms and body using friction combinations and uncommon rope architecture to enhance adaptability and skill.
A portion of the course will be dedicated to the rope model point of view, supporting bottom-up expression and evaluation of the rigger’s style and technique.
There will be time for open discussion between sessions and a final closing discussion centred on why we tie, perceptions of tying, and how rope may intersect with socio-economic, gender and relationship dynamics.
Prerequisites
Riggers
- Experienced with floor ties, partials and suspensions, and familiar with transitions and torques.
- Capable of tying TKs and alternative arm ties, connecting main and secondary suspension uplines, and tying proper lock-offs on a ring or carabiner.
- Fundamental understanding of rope safety, risk management, nerve impingement and circulation issues.
- Open to constructive feedback, direction and class discussion.
- Risk-aware regarding physical and emotional issues that may arise in rope bondage.
Rope Models
- Comfortable advocating for themselves, giving constructive feedback and expressing boundaries or needs while tied.
- Preferably have previous suspension experience with their rope partner.
- Familiar with some of the following: traditional TK, arm-binder, front arms tie, tengu or tenshi, and/or hands-free harness.
- Sound body awareness and understanding of personal physical and emotional strengths, limitations and challenges in rope.
- Risk-aware regarding physical and emotional issues that may arise in rope bondage.
Event venue & nearby stays
Second Story Studios, 222A Johnston Street, Collingwood, Australia
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.