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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