Book Review: Kiss of Fire

By Barbara Nitke, Fetish Photographer & Activist

Review by Susan Wright, Founder of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom
wrightnyc@aol.com

Ever since Robert Mapplethorpe's photographs were used to help justify the defunding of the National Endowment of the Arts, there has been a question whether sadomasochism is a fit subject for art. Barbara Nitke answers with a resounding YES! in her new book, KISS OF FIRE. With over 60 crisp duotone photographs and published on heavy stock by Kehrer Verlag Heidelberg in Germany , Nitke presents a world of sadomasochism that few will ever see.

Nitke's photographs can be shocking at times in their frankness. A bound man cries out in pleasure and agony as another man behind him, naked to the waist, plays upon his body. A pale woman is seated on a toilet, vulnerable and timid, with all of her attention focused on the woman leaning over her. An ordinary couple stand in the classic "American Gothic" pose in front of an ordinary house, yet the woman is naked and heavily pregnant.

Each of Nitke's photographs is attuned to the interplay between the partners and the love that manifests even in the most extreme sexual encounters. Their interaction feels spontaneous; a charged moment frozen in time. Yet each scene is framed in a gently formal composition that makes even the most outrageous accruements seem beautiful.

In KISS OF FIRE, Nitke writes of her experience exploring the SM community and her increasing desire to photograph the lovers she saw. "I loved watching them float around together at parties," Nitke says, "Flying on their endorphins, lost in each other. I loved the ones who would spend days cooking up intricate, delicious scenes to tantalize the other and then tell you about it afterwards like mischievous kids."

In KISS OF FIRE, Nitke has captured the intense energy of these couples' passion as well as the deep intimacy and trust that is required to engage in SM. For anyone who has ever wanted a deeper look into the glorious contradictions of kinky sexuality, KISS OF FIRE is a must for you.

Nitke offers signed copies of KISS OF FIRE from her website: www.BarbaraNitke.com 

Read the SCENEprofiles Interview with Barbara Nitke

Check out some of Barbara's incredible Photography

Read Sensuous Sadie's review of Barbara Nitke's New Book Kiss of Fire

~~~~~

Copyright 2003

This review is reprinted here with the explicit permission of the author. If you would like to share it with others, please link directly to this page or contact the author for permission. It is a violation of copyright law to distribute or reprint this piece without that permission, however you may include a short quote from it, not more than 20% of the total text. Please respect the integrity of this work.