The international rope artist, Boris Mosafir from Russia, has been in Athens for a series of events, organized by AthenShibari. These included several shibari workshops, a workshop on flagellation for the first time in Greece and a spectacular bondage performance at Faust! Here you can find an exclusive interview from the artist, together with some photos from the night of the performance together with WisDomme + Psychosis and the tribal fusion dance of  Clea Doublidou

All photos by Manos Chrisovergis and Interview by Athens Shibari

You are travelling the world to teach and to perform in kink communities. What do you like most about it?

I like to meet people in different shibari communities and I enjoy the communication. In reality, I really like to teach and I also like to travel. But the exchange knowledge is another important factor for me. It’s a synergy, after all.

You organize big events like the ropefest. What is the main purpose for you? 

The main idea is to help the Russian shibari community develop. We need open events. If you tie only in home and not with other people, you cannot gain the experience required.  I know a guy who has been trying for a really long time but only at home. He tied even before me, but he hasn’t evolved a lot. We have to encourage people to tie with other people, to be open to new ideas. Shibari became as we know it because it became public. More people means more ideas. I also organize these kind of events because it’s fun for me and I like it. 

What you like most to teach?

I like to teach basic things but in a deeper level. Finding the details and showing how something can work better, how you can do it better, how a simple tie can have a great impact. We tend to have good information about patterns and techniques, but they are mostly skin deep.

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Do you have a big influence on your rope style?

Not only one. Many people. I like to get inspired by what I see and then find a way to make it work for me.

What’s the thing you are most proud of, at this moment?

At this moment, I am proud to say I am not bad with ropes and I have quite enough experience. I am proud and happy to be able to do the things I want. Especially because shibari is a big part of my life and provides me with emotions, experiences etc..

What do you want people to see in your shows?

I try to show my approach, my way of shibari and what  you can do with ropes and your partner. The focus is on my partner. It’s only me, my partner and the ropes. Also I want to show the beauty of ropes and their use for restriction and pain.

You, as a rope top, do you have any hard limits? Like, things you don’t want to do with ropes.

I never do things whose outcome I cannot control . For example a strappado tied and suspended only by the wrists. In cases like that only the model is able to control what might happen. It is up to the model and their ability to do it or not. And yet again, it is still very risky. I am not a control freak, not at all. I know we are not gods. But I like to stay into RACK.

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What made you create the anti-gote style?

It came from my love for ichinawa. I saw it can be an interesting idea to use it in semi or full suspensions. Creating and combining ideas is something I enjoy.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDtN2GAOLdc&fbclid=IwAR0S7Hd0RjOFCXyLN_NNn_rQ9wTeDMp3i3BwFHhtwFfrItQWvIGTiljnKG8

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