Lucrezia Magazine

John Santerineross is a New York based “image maker” who has been referred to by the media as “the world's leading neo-symbolist photographer of our time.” Like the symbolists of the past, John’s controversial photographic art explores ageless taboos using a combination of dark themes and sexuality which are inspired by subconscious dream imagery, religious iconography and Jungian archetypes.

“Dream” is John’s second book of erotic photography, five years after the release of his first hardcover: “Fruit of the Secret God” which is now a limited edition collector’s volume retailing at $500.00 a copy.

John denies the use of digital manipulation in his photographic works and all photographs are created in-camera. The images for “Dream” are constructed realities that are created using elaborate staged sets that he builds in his studio together with an arrangement of strange props, and nude models in obscure—and sometimes explicit—metaphorical narratives.

The themes are often disturbing and provocative, pushing the boundaries of what is considered forbidden. To illustrate this point, two images come to mind. The first shows a young woman sitting on a bed, nude, except for a pair of white panties that are stained with blood as she smears her menses over her body. Behind her hang several pair of soiled underwear and a small doll who sits in the corner staring at the viewer, as if to implicate us in the act of voyeurism.

In the second, another young woman sits in the corner of a wooden box and lifts her dress to reveal her shaved pussy to a stuffed bear who is presented, like the spectator, with a perfect view. She has bloody bandages on her thighs and wrists, while blood-stained ink blots hang on the walls behind her. Both these images suggest taboo concepts including pubescent sexuality, abject bodily fluids, exhibitionism and voyeurism, as well as the ritual of self-mutilation.

Dream: The Dark Erotic Photographic Visions of John Santerineross
Attis Publishing, 2004
With an introduction by Nina Hugo and dark prose by Bethalynne Bajema
(120 pages, 50 images)
$29.99

Images © John Santerineross Attis Studios.

© 2008 Domina Doll

Domina Doll is a sex advocate and retail slut who works in the largest adult store in Atlantic Canada. Formerly trained as a photographer and filmmaker, Domina is an aspiring pornographer and artist whose works deal with issues of female sexuality and deconstructing female icons in mass media. Domina is also lifestyle dominatrix who is very active in the BDSM scene where she lives and where she helps organize events like the annual Fetish Ball. As a writer, she has tried her hand at erotica, but most enjoys non-fiction essays and reviews on topics pertaining to sexuality. Her articles on sexuality have been published in various magazines including Scarlet Letters, S.M.U.T, Whiplash!, Suspect Thoughts, and Good Vibrations. Domina also writes reviews for Vibrator (dot) com, SexToy (dot) com, Eden Fantasys, and Orgasm Army and regular columns for Lover Magazine. In addition to her blog at Lucrezia, she pens her own sexuality blog CherryBoxxx @ http://cherryboxxx.blogspot.com.