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Forums > Technical Discussion > Clothing vs Naked?
Login/Join to ParticipateSILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
OK, I thought about something the other day and have spent a good few hours doing a Durbs and checking through previous threads.
I noticed alot of people worry about what clothing they wear and how fire proof it is etc...
I've always worn 2 things when I perform. Either a nice cotton hoody with hood up to protect my hair, or go for a dip in my pool (or the very least wet my hair to keep it under controll) then spin with as little clothing on as I can (mostly just a pair of shorts).
I guess I was thinking about it because for the first time ever I managed to mess up a wrap while doing fire without clothing on. I didn't get burned at all, but I made a nicely sized cut in my arm. I doubt it would have been as bad if I had been wearing a hoody, maybe just a small cut and a torn arm in the shirt.
I read in another thread that Pele also does arm wraps with out sleeves (correct me if I'm wrong...), and so do a number of other people.
I think the possibility for steam burns while wearing less clothing would be greatly reduced, but please don't take my word on that. Perhaps someone would correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking.
I know some people perform with costumes etc... inwhich case there is no real option for clothing except for choice of material, but I have seen some 'traditional' Samoan fire knife dancers wearing only a banana leaf skirt, anklets etc...dancing away (pretty good actually, it was at the Polynesian resort's Luao in Disney World) with out problems.
I guess I was wondering what the rest of the poi world thought of not using clothing?
OK, I thought about something the other day and have spent a good few hours doing a Durbs and checking through previous threads.
I noticed alot of people worry about what clothing they wear and how fire proof it is etc...
I've always worn 2 things when I perform. Either a nice cotton hoody with hood up to protect my hair, or go for a dip in my pool (or the very least wet my hair to keep it under controll) then spin with as little clothing on as I can (mostly just a pair of shorts).
I guess I was thinking about it because for the first time ever I managed to mess up a wrap while doing fire without clothing on. I didn't get burned at all, but I made a nicely sized cut in my arm. I doubt it would have been as bad if I had been wearing a hoody, maybe just a small cut and a torn arm in the shirt.
I read in another thread that Pele also does arm wraps with out sleeves (correct me if I'm wrong...), and so do a number of other people.
I think the possibility for steam burns while wearing less clothing would be greatly reduced, but please don't take my word on that. Perhaps someone would correct me if I'm wrong in my thinking.
I know some people perform with costumes etc... inwhich case there is no real option for clothing except for choice of material, but I have seen some 'traditional' Samoan fire knife dancers wearing only a banana leaf skirt, anklets etc...dancing away (pretty good actually, it was at the Polynesian resort's Luao in Disney World) with out problems.
I guess I was wondering what the rest of the poi world thought of not using clothing?
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
geek, level 1
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
5,300 posts
Location: everywhere
Posted:
all our facepainters say grimas is better.
and we have checked, i promise ya.
but yes, i admit i think in large quantities...
all our facepainters say grimas is better.
and we have checked, i promise ya.
but yes, i admit i think in large quantities...
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
3,638 posts
Location: Brum / Dorset / Fairy Land
Posted:
thank you boys
thank you boys
Geologists do it in the dirt................ 
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,276 posts
Location: Oxfordshire/Wiltshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
is it easier to start with just patterns then solid paint? xxx
is it easier to start with just patterns then solid paint? xxx
tHeReS gOoD aNd EvIl iN EaCh InDiViDuAl fIrE, iDeNtIfIeS nEeDs AnD fEeDs OuR dEsIrEs.
GOLD Member
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posted:
Aha! The bodypainting thread!
(Notice how Fluff hijacked the nakedness thread and made it far more interesting?)
My only reason for not spinning totally naked, (other than it's a family show y'all!) is that on the increasingly rare occasions that I do hit myself in the nuts (wow, haven't done it for about a year! must be due for one) I'm fairly sure I'd get some quite regrettable singe-age. Not sure I'm quite man enough for that.
I love being painted. It makes me feel like I can do anything I please, with absolutely no fear of judgement or recriminations. It's like a skin-thin disguise that completely protects you, and frees up your performance at the same time. Haven't played with UV bodypaints yet, but have had some pretty funky things painted on me. (by people with artistic talent, obviously - not me
)
I am always up for shiny-glowy-painty fun. And I'll consider nakedness, depending how brave I am.
Vix>> It's a matter of preference. Patterns look cool, block colours look cool, as do a combination.
Aha! The bodypainting thread!
(Notice how Fluff hijacked the nakedness thread and made it far more interesting?)
My only reason for not spinning totally naked, (other than it's a family show y'all!) is that on the increasingly rare occasions that I do hit myself in the nuts (wow, haven't done it for about a year! must be due for one) I'm fairly sure I'd get some quite regrettable singe-age. Not sure I'm quite man enough for that.
I love being painted. It makes me feel like I can do anything I please, with absolutely no fear of judgement or recriminations. It's like a skin-thin disguise that completely protects you, and frees up your performance at the same time. Haven't played with UV bodypaints yet, but have had some pretty funky things painted on me. (by people with artistic talent, obviously - not me
)I am always up for shiny-glowy-painty fun. And I'll consider nakedness, depending how brave I am.
Vix>> It's a matter of preference. Patterns look cool, block colours look cool, as do a combination.
"I believe the cost of life is Death and we will all pay that in full. Everything else should be a gift. We paid the cover charge of life, we were born."
Bill Hicks, February 1988
GOLD Member
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Fool
2,020 posts
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posted:
Oh yeah. And this site here is wicked.
Oh yeah. And this site here is wicked.
"I believe the cost of life is Death and we will all pay that in full. Everything else should be a gift. We paid the cover charge of life, we were born."
Bill Hicks, February 1988
Penguin of Mass Destruction and Tricky Bugger to the court of Claire the Askew
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
Posted:
Mentioning full moons in part of a thread that's dedicated to nakedness?
I'd do this but I'm on the wrong continent, which gives me an idea for a gimmick we could use sometime if we were to ever do simulataneous shows, needn't be naked or painted but to give the audience a sense of global events we could let em know that the other were doing something quite similar over across the waves in Europe or Australia depending on which of up was doing the telling (that is, we both would, but you wouldn't say across the waves in Europe if that's where you are).
First time I spun fire it was suggested that we do it naked, burning hair was mentioned though and that time we didn't get to it. Another time we definately could.
I havent spun with most of that group again yet cos we did it to get extra circus training in when the extra class me and another circus freak who basicly organised most of it were taking got shut down, and then the training hall got opened up to us on the night we were doing it on so we moved to there to train. I've always spun clothed so far but I just pick up my poi and go. If I was messing about with poi and someone else and they were up for it I probably would.
Bodypainting I have a few friends who do, as well as knowing a guy who does henna tattoos and I've messed about with it myself too, only really performed in it once or twice though, I can do characters easily without it. I am making a couple of guys at the moment though, one of whom is in whiteface with a black masquerade mask and a red nose.
Block colours I'm going to do soon for a human statue gig I've got with this wonderful lass I'm friends with and a few other people, I need training before I get really decent at it but it should be great. Festivals, it turns out, are good places to get invitations to perform.
Written by: fluffy napalm fairy
Mister mogs - you want to help me find paints and things so Me and Jo can have fun painting at the Full Moon Festy?
Mentioning full moons in part of a thread that's dedicated to nakedness?
I'd do this but I'm on the wrong continent, which gives me an idea for a gimmick we could use sometime if we were to ever do simulataneous shows, needn't be naked or painted but to give the audience a sense of global events we could let em know that the other were doing something quite similar over across the waves in Europe or Australia depending on which of up was doing the telling (that is, we both would, but you wouldn't say across the waves in Europe if that's where you are).
First time I spun fire it was suggested that we do it naked, burning hair was mentioned though and that time we didn't get to it. Another time we definately could.
I havent spun with most of that group again yet cos we did it to get extra circus training in when the extra class me and another circus freak who basicly organised most of it were taking got shut down, and then the training hall got opened up to us on the night we were doing it on so we moved to there to train. I've always spun clothed so far but I just pick up my poi and go. If I was messing about with poi and someone else and they were up for it I probably would.
Bodypainting I have a few friends who do, as well as knowing a guy who does henna tattoos and I've messed about with it myself too, only really performed in it once or twice though, I can do characters easily without it. I am making a couple of guys at the moment though, one of whom is in whiteface with a black masquerade mask and a red nose.
Block colours I'm going to do soon for a human statue gig I've got with this wonderful lass I'm friends with and a few other people, I need training before I get really decent at it but it should be great. Festivals, it turns out, are good places to get invitations to perform.
Chucks nuns
Property of mynci and blu_valley, and proud of it.
SILVER Member
member
157 posts
Location: Halifax, NS, Canada
member
157 posts
Location: Halifax, NS, Canada
Posted:
Even if I was skinny, I'm just too modest. So nakedness is not an option for me. For people who like the UV idea, but can't or won't perform nude (you won't get me in a thong for love or money), there are still options- skintight bodysuits, perhaps. Kwik-sew makes several catsuit style patterns, I've got #3052.
True, the pattern shows female models, but a male friend of mine has used this same pattern to make a really nice "Cats" style costume. There's several different styles to choose from- make yourself a bodysuit out of spandex, and decorate it with UV reactive fabric paint. I'm pretty sure that most neon colours are UV reactive. And also, certain colours of fabric will glow under black light, especially if washed in the right kind of detergent.
A good idea would be to ask for sample swatches of various colours from the fabric store, and try them out at home under a portable black light. With the right bodysuit, you would only have to paint your face and possibly your hands too. Also, you don't have to worry about shaving off any errant hair, and it's much easier to remove a catsuit than it is to scrub paint off all your body parts.
Mind you, spandex isn't the best thing for fire spinning, but if you're using other types of poi, it might be an option.
Even if I was skinny, I'm just too modest. So nakedness is not an option for me. For people who like the UV idea, but can't or won't perform nude (you won't get me in a thong for love or money), there are still options- skintight bodysuits, perhaps. Kwik-sew makes several catsuit style patterns, I've got #3052.
True, the pattern shows female models, but a male friend of mine has used this same pattern to make a really nice "Cats" style costume. There's several different styles to choose from- make yourself a bodysuit out of spandex, and decorate it with UV reactive fabric paint. I'm pretty sure that most neon colours are UV reactive. And also, certain colours of fabric will glow under black light, especially if washed in the right kind of detergent.
A good idea would be to ask for sample swatches of various colours from the fabric store, and try them out at home under a portable black light. With the right bodysuit, you would only have to paint your face and possibly your hands too. Also, you don't have to worry about shaving off any errant hair, and it's much easier to remove a catsuit than it is to scrub paint off all your body parts.
Mind you, spandex isn't the best thing for fire spinning, but if you're using other types of poi, it might be an option.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of Tower Cranes, for you are soft and would look better when squashed by a full concrete bucket"
Penguin of Mass Destruction and Tricky Bugger to the court of Claire the Askew
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
Posted:
UV reactive ones particularly. As to the scrubbing off bit for people not bothered by being naked, and this thread's brough out a few ;D, then you'd miss out on painting eachother up. :P
UV reactive ones particularly. As to the scrubbing off bit for people not bothered by being naked, and this thread's brough out a few ;D, then you'd miss out on painting eachother up. :P
Chucks nuns
Property of mynci and blu_valley, and proud of it.
SILVER Member
member
157 posts
Location: Halifax, NS, Canada
member
157 posts
Location: Halifax, NS, Canada
Posted:
Something else that might work, but you would want to test it with some scrap fabric first- make black catsuits, and use washable paint to decorate them with. I'm sure you can find neon coloured paint sold as kid's art supplies- that stuff is designed to be washable. So you and your friends put on the black suits and go to town with the glowpaint. When the show's done, a good thorough wash should remove the evidence, and you can do it again next time.
Also, modesty is not the only concern here- Some clubs and venues might not be cool with total nudity, even if there is paint involved. Some venue owners might be concerned about attracting unwanted attention from vice squads and others, who may very well equate nudity with indecency. Especially in more conservative areas. So therefore, no nude performers allowed. If you have to cover up the naughty bits, you may as well have fun with it.
Something else that might work, but you would want to test it with some scrap fabric first- make black catsuits, and use washable paint to decorate them with. I'm sure you can find neon coloured paint sold as kid's art supplies- that stuff is designed to be washable. So you and your friends put on the black suits and go to town with the glowpaint. When the show's done, a good thorough wash should remove the evidence, and you can do it again next time.
Also, modesty is not the only concern here- Some clubs and venues might not be cool with total nudity, even if there is paint involved. Some venue owners might be concerned about attracting unwanted attention from vice squads and others, who may very well equate nudity with indecency. Especially in more conservative areas. So therefore, no nude performers allowed. If you have to cover up the naughty bits, you may as well have fun with it.
"Do not meddle in the affairs of Tower Cranes, for you are soft and would look better when squashed by a full concrete bucket"
Penguin of Mass Destruction and Tricky Bugger to the court of Claire the Askew
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
Posted:
Zere you are right Amanita.
Zere you are right Amanita.
Chucks nuns
Property of mynci and blu_valley, and proud of it.
GOLD Member
member
45 posts
Location: Bville, OK, USA
member
45 posts
Location: Bville, OK, USA
Posted:
Nekkid or near nekkid... if your like me you like the sensation of the fire licking your skin... but hate the burns you get from the chains and other metal bits. Someone dropped this idea on me and I"m currently waiting for the part to arrive to I can try it.
you need some of the kevlar rope; sold on HOP
a spool of kevlar thread; sold on HOP
and a curved needle (I'll have a better idea of size when i test this idea out)
Now, the rope is core/wrapped. so you finagle the core out and are left with teh kevlar wrapping...
Thread your chains through this wrapping (about 6" should suffice) and sew it to the top of your poi heads (covering the quick links/bolts/etc.) may need to work at it to cover eye bolts...
then sew the top of the rope sheath tight around the chain so it doesn't slip down.
Theoretically the kevlar will keep the chain off your skin and prevent burns for the few seconds its in contact with the bare skin. I'll be sure to take pics of the process and give a full review after spinning a few times.
The only draw back I can see is needing to replace the sheath more often than the poi head.
There ya go... spin nekkid foolz!
Nekkid or near nekkid... if your like me you like the sensation of the fire licking your skin... but hate the burns you get from the chains and other metal bits. Someone dropped this idea on me and I"m currently waiting for the part to arrive to I can try it.
you need some of the kevlar rope; sold on HOP
a spool of kevlar thread; sold on HOP
and a curved needle (I'll have a better idea of size when i test this idea out)
Now, the rope is core/wrapped. so you finagle the core out and are left with teh kevlar wrapping...
Thread your chains through this wrapping (about 6" should suffice) and sew it to the top of your poi heads (covering the quick links/bolts/etc.) may need to work at it to cover eye bolts...
then sew the top of the rope sheath tight around the chain so it doesn't slip down.
Theoretically the kevlar will keep the chain off your skin and prevent burns for the few seconds its in contact with the bare skin. I'll be sure to take pics of the process and give a full review after spinning a few times.
The only draw back I can see is needing to replace the sheath more often than the poi head.
There ya go... spin nekkid foolz!
Penguin of Mass Destruction and Tricky Bugger to the court of Claire the Askew
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
643 posts
Location: Check behind you.
Posted:
That's a really ace idea. Naturally it'll involve a seperate set of chains for inadvisable to light poi, but that's not problem at all. I may well get some fire poi for christmas or summat so I must try this for warps.
That's a really ace idea. Naturally it'll involve a seperate set of chains for inadvisable to light poi, but that's not problem at all. I may well get some fire poi for christmas or summat so I must try this for warps.
Chucks nuns
Property of mynci and blu_valley, and proud of it.
GOLD Member
member
45 posts
Location: Bville, OK, USA
member
45 posts
Location: Bville, OK, USA
Posted:
Can't wait to actually try it, the proof is in the puddin so they say...
Can't wait to actually try it, the proof is in the puddin so they say...
newbie
1 post
Location: Swindon
1 post
Location: Swindon
Posted:
Clothes? what's they but something you wear for social approval, better off without.
Weather permitting I like spinning with no kit on else it's all black cotton for show - some how the white goatee never disappears from film and mmm body art - think i'd have to be hairless for that ... well more hairless anyway as there is this bare stripe down the centre of my chest, not from burns but the slow fizzling of hair over the first few weeks of spring / summer - till it's gone. I guess my fire poi are *just* long/short enough. ;-)
as for burns, it's nowt or all black cotton, everything else catches fire too quickly. Wire/chain burns - they're part of the fun besides what greater incentive is there to get it right than not get burned.
I'd never describe myself as photogenic, however the best pics are nude spinning probably cause more time was taken on where we went to spin .... forest, cliffs, tunnels, caves and awesome openings.
rococco
swindon
Clothes? what's they but something you wear for social approval, better off without.
Weather permitting I like spinning with no kit on else it's all black cotton for show - some how the white goatee never disappears from film and mmm body art - think i'd have to be hairless for that ... well more hairless anyway as there is this bare stripe down the centre of my chest, not from burns but the slow fizzling of hair over the first few weeks of spring / summer - till it's gone. I guess my fire poi are *just* long/short enough. ;-)
as for burns, it's nowt or all black cotton, everything else catches fire too quickly. Wire/chain burns - they're part of the fun besides what greater incentive is there to get it right than not get burned.
I'd never describe myself as photogenic, however the best pics are nude spinning probably cause more time was taken on where we went to spin .... forest, cliffs, tunnels, caves and awesome openings.
rococco
swindon
I'm just a thing of innocence and a child of song
SILVER Member
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Elusive and Bearded
3,597 posts
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Posted:
Personally ive never spun naked, i just kinda assumed that since i spin staff and havnt gotten into doubles id get confused....
Personally ive never spun naked, i just kinda assumed that since i spin staff and havnt gotten into doubles id get confused....
O.B.E.S.E.
Owned by Mynci!
member
143 posts
Location: Broomfield, Colorado
143 posts
Location: Broomfield, Colorado
Posted:
When I spin I wear tight clothing with the requirement that it only looks good. Absolutely everything I wear is brilliantly flammable man-made fibers...with the exceptions of the soes of my shoes, which are leather. That said, the shoes themselves are comprised of satin, burlap, a lot of glue, rubber glue, and paint...tre flamage. On my body proper I go for dance attire, a leotard of some form (they don't exist in natural fibers, lol) and a dance skirt. I have learned to favor the tighter, clingier skirts rather than the floaty wrap skirts though cause at least I know better when the tight stuff is gonna move, rather than having to be concerned about the slightest breese blowing my skirt too near my poi! Oh yeah, and short is a must. Anything approaching the "lyrical" style is a huge no-no.
Then again, if I had any brains I'd find some sparkly teensie top and bottom set. They sell sparkly tops at the dance store, but nothing in the bottom area that isn't also light and floaty. And no, I don't spin in a tutu...that would be suicidal.
My theory is that my flesh is a lot harder to light on fire than my clothing could ever be, and therefore, the closer to nothing the better!
When I spin I wear tight clothing with the requirement that it only looks good. Absolutely everything I wear is brilliantly flammable man-made fibers...with the exceptions of the soes of my shoes, which are leather. That said, the shoes themselves are comprised of satin, burlap, a lot of glue, rubber glue, and paint...tre flamage. On my body proper I go for dance attire, a leotard of some form (they don't exist in natural fibers, lol) and a dance skirt. I have learned to favor the tighter, clingier skirts rather than the floaty wrap skirts though cause at least I know better when the tight stuff is gonna move, rather than having to be concerned about the slightest breese blowing my skirt too near my poi! Oh yeah, and short is a must. Anything approaching the "lyrical" style is a huge no-no.
Then again, if I had any brains I'd find some sparkly teensie top and bottom set. They sell sparkly tops at the dance store, but nothing in the bottom area that isn't also light and floaty. And no, I don't spin in a tutu...that would be suicidal.
My theory is that my flesh is a lot harder to light on fire than my clothing could ever be, and therefore, the closer to nothing the better!
"Watch those explosions in the sky and you'll go blind, but not this time. Will you live in hope or dark desire? What can I say? F*ck love give me fire." ~Cities Of Night by Blaqk Audio (Davey Havok)
Proudly MCRmy
BRONZE Member
Member
Location: Lithuania
Member
Location: Lithuania
Posted:
I mostly spin half naked, sometimes only with leather throusers for example, especially in front of the audience if wanna make a good show
Practice showed, people are getting much more exited then.
And when doing some contact, i like feeling the staff by own skin, not clothes.
I mostly spin half naked, sometimes only with leather throusers for example, especially in front of the audience if wanna make a good show
Practice showed, people are getting much more exited then.
And when doing some contact, i like feeling the staff by own skin, not clothes.
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