Welcome to the second installment of CRAVE Culture, a curated quarterly newsletter.
Here, you can discover the world of CRAVE, where intimacy meets self-expression realized in passionate creativity and elevated forms of beauty.
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SELF EXPRESSION
The Erotic Art of Ropes
Image by Marie Sauvage
Marie Sauvage, an international shibari artist, spoke to CRAVE about her journey in learning the erotic art of rope. She is a certified kinoko shibari instructor currently living in Paris. Shibari is an artistic form of rope bondage that originated in Japan. It involves using intricate patterns of rope to restrain, suspend, or decorate one's body.
Marie shares why shibari has enthralled her:
“Shibari is the intersection of art and eroticism, two topics that always held my fascination. I wanted to inspire conversations about vulnerability, trust, and the human body as an art form through my artistic expression of shibari.
A common misconception of shibari is that it is always painful. It is not painful when done with intention to not be! It can be painful, erotic, meditative, gentle, it depends on how you want to experience it.”
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
The Beauty of Creativity
Photo by Ethan Hawke
At CRAVE, we believe in the power of self-expression and beauty. Ethan Hawke speaks on the importance of expressing oneself through creativity—how it can be healing and how it can bring communities together. Watch the full video
CRAVE COLLABORATION
A Map to Pleasure: Spanking Tips
Illustration by Joce Cova for CRAVE
Collaborating with Joce Cova, we bring you A Map to Pleasure: Spanking Tips. As a reminder, it's important to establish clear boundaries and communication with your partner before beginning. We recommend warming up the area beforehand to reduce the risk of injury and engaging in aftercare, especially during rough play.
Please note this is by no means a comprehensive tutorial, and be sure to talk to your partner to make sure this activity feels right for them.
SEXUAL HEALTH
The Orgasm Gap
Photo by @lovecrave
There's nothing wrong with not finishing at the same time as your partner or not finishing at all.
In a 2009 research, a total of 500 heterosexual couples were recruited from five countries: the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Turkey, and the United States. The average orgasm time for partnered sex was 5.4 minutes for men. However, the median time decreased significantly with age, from 6.5 minutes in the 18-30 years group to 4.3 minutes in the group older than 51 years.
Regardless of the time to climax, the most important thing is that both partners are enjoying themselves and feel satisfied with the experience.
ART OF EXPRESSION
Gina Brankovic: Their Courageous Journey to Find Their Unique Artistic Voice
Photo by Gina Branković
Gina Branković, a Croatian textile artist based in Berlin, Germany, spoke to CRAVE about their courageous journey in finding their unique artistic voice:
“Becoming an artist wasn't something that seemed possible in Croatia. I lacked support from my family, which made it challenging for me to express myself. It wasn't until I moved to Germany that I seriously considered the possibility of being an artist.
My work is deeply rooted in my personal journey, growing up in a closed-minded and highly abusive family where discussions about sex, gender, and self-exploration were forbidden. The themes I explore revolve around gender expression, equality, sexuality, and objectification. Through my work, I strive to depict the strength, resilience, and diverse experiences of individuals challenging societal norms. These artworks contribute to conversations that aim to challenge stereotypes and foster a more inclusive understanding of identity and gender. My goal is to create a sense of community where individuals feel safe and accepted as they are, especially in a society dominated by patriarchal structures.”
AGENT OF PLEASURE
Spotlight: Ashley Platz
Photo by Ashley Platz
Ashley Platz is an actor who has appeared on Yellowstone, Hawaii 5-O, 9-1-1, The Bold Type, Grey’s Anatomy, and GLOW. As a bisexual/pansexual woman, Ashley feels a deep responsibility to be visible to those who cannot be and is a committed advocate for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. In addition, Ashley also writes and produces her own original films and series. Ashley wears Vesper 2 in Black.
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