Books Vol

Brought to book

 

An anthology of ”truly shocking” photographs that depict masturbation, self-mutilation and DIY abortion could become the first in Britain to receive an 18 certificate.

 

The Dualism, described as a ”journey of love and hate”, contains more than 100 ‘’scandalous, wholeheartedly provocative” pictures.

 

These include a series of naked “animal-like” models striking ”highly disturbing” poses, a weeping man ejaculating blood on a toilet, and an “ape man” giving birth through his rectum.

 

Another shows a pregnant woman with a wound to her stomach. She is holding a bloodied knitting needle.

 

The artist responsible, who protects his anonymity and is known only under alias “The Dualism”, claims the 160-page A4 book is an ”artistic, if disturbing” take on traditional ‘retro style’ photography.

 

And due to its graphic content, the artist is considering adding an 18 certificate to the cover, or a ‘’strong warning” on the book’s website, www.TheDualism.com

 

Speaking yesterday, the artist said: ”My book is intended for adults, not children, and though shocking, is not pornographic and does not promote self-abuse – the images are meant to convey deeper ideas about society in general that reflects our frailties and desperate humanity.

 

“These images could be misconstrued by immature minds, but I find it highly unlikely that anyone will see this who isn’t meant to, unless they are deliberately looking for it.

 

”That said, I appreciate that some art lovers are easily offended; especially those of orthodox mentality. I am now contemplating what can be done, and if anything needs to be done, to prevent this.”

 

The book is based on ‘dualism’, a belief that two ”fundamental principles” – conflicting or otherwise – co-exist together.

 

The Artist cites surrealist Salvador Dali, Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’, Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ and Gabrielle-Suzanne barbot de Villeneuve’s “Beauty and the Beast” as influences.

 

“Inside us there have always been, and there always be, two forces in conflict with one another,” explained the artist.

 

“For example, in the outside world there is ‘beauty’ and ‘ugliness’, but my point is: where does one end and the other start?

 

“This is the whole point of my art. I want to make people see reality from a different angle, getting rid of their stereotypes and prejudices by turning things inside out.”

 

The book, which went on sale earlier this month, has attracted a worldwide following.

 

It has more than 23,000 Facebook fans globally, some of which paid £2,000 for a signed first edition.

 

Finding a British a printer was, the artist admits, ”tough”. Most ”baulked” at the content of the book, with a picture depicting a breastfeeding man in a gorilla mask receiving a lot of criticism in particular.

 

The artist said: “The content of this book is so strong that it took me months to find a printer willing to produce it.

 

“No one in the UK wanted to print the book, no matter how much money I offered – they were simply terrified by the photos and poems attached to them.”

 

The Dualism finally found an “open-minded” London printer, but has since come across new barriers in the trade press.

 

The Bookseller, for instance, refused to feature the work in a forthcoming issue dedicated to photographic Art Books, while self-labelled “alternative” magazine Bizarre similarly rejected the title for being “too provocative”.

 

The artist added: “I deliberately set out to produce a collection of scandalous and provocative photos to shock people into casting off prejudgements

and see reality with new eyes.

 

“It seems, however, to has proved too provocative to the conservative middle classes who try to control the art world.”

 

But despite the setbacks, and ”handful” of complaints, The Dualism is selling ”like hotcakes”.

 

The artist added: ”My fans have appreciated it immensely. They feel scared yet at the same time fascinated by my art, which is just another inner conflict I’ve helped bring to the surface.”

 

The Dualism Vol. I is priced £70 signed, and £45 unsigned. It is available from multi-media website www.thedualism.com, where You Can also see two preview videos.

 

But be warned: it’s not for the faint hearted.

About the Author

A Yoginis Autobiography Book Vol 2