On November 9, 2007 erotic art and body modification meet in “Modified Eros,” a photographic celebration of bodies modified with tattooing, piercing, corsetry, and scarification. The show is curated by Audacia Ray, features photography from BellaVendetta.com, and will run through January 18, 2008 at Arena Studios in CYC, a non-traditional art venue, BDSM play space, and organizer of the Black & Blue Ball.

Some of the photographs in the show have previously appeared on Bella Vendetta’s eponymous website, where she showcases the erotic fantasies of people whose imaginations run on the taboo side. The pieces in the show represent not just the photographers’, but also the models’ predilections. “It’s hard to get a gallery to show images like this because they don’t see body modification as an art form and they don’t think of modified people’s bodies as beautiful,” says Ms. Vendetta.

Audacia Ray, who has curated $pread magazine’s “Sex Worker Visions” shows for the past two years, says, “The photographs I’ve selected for this show invite people to appreciate the erotic beauty of body modification, though some images, like photographs of suspension, blood play, and genital modifications, will make folks squirm a little too.”

During the run of the show, Arena Studios welcomes the public to view the art daily from 12 pm to 8 pm or by appointment. Arena will also host an evening with Lolita Wolf, a BDSM player, educator, author, and TES Emeritus Board Member, who will present a hands-on workshop on play piercing in the gallery on Wednesday, November 28th from 7 to 9 pm. The workshop costs $25 to attend and will arm attendees with knowledge about tools, supplies, safety, technique, preparation and aftercare.

“Modified Eros” features photographs by seasoned artists and fresh talent alike and will display images by Patrick Reardon, Brian Mackey, and many others. Many of the models and photographers will be present at the public opening for the show, which will take place at Arena Studios, 407 Broome Street Suite 7A from 7-10 pm on Friday, November 9, 2007.