SOME PERSPECTIVES ON THE TERM FROM OUR FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD Getting off by a sexually unre-
muscle boys, boobs, and booties.
shoes as if they were a lover—
lated object can be more excit-
But the fetish can also be an
finding every stitch and crease
ing than sex toys. Porn, toys,
amazing testament to the power
and fold, noticing every subtle
and sex are surrounding us,
of the human imagination and
shift in material or texture or
magnifying media claustropho-
a celebration of independent
color, knowing its particular
bia and heightening social anx-
thought. In this age of the force-
scent and redolence—that is
iety to a level never before
feeding of our psyches with
fetish. My hands might wander
conceived. This causes us to be
images of what we are supposed
over the body of someone deeply
more unresponsive than ever to
to find a turn-on, wonderfully
“When I handle a new pair of
meaningful in the same manner, and my countenance would reflect a similar joy and resolve. It is at once being able to exert
more acceptable means to
unusual fetishes challenge the
achieve sexual satisfaction.
floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall-
Ergo, inanimate objects. The
carpet commercial images we
object or situation that creates
see. Viva that man who likes to
the fetish could be tied to an
dress up as a clown and stick
ignited moment that resonated
his dick in UHT cream.”
control by owning whatever
within, marinating until one
object I fetishize and also being
day we discover that green
possessed by it, allowing myself
chairs or fluffy suits make us
to be enchanted. My hands
randy.
explore the body of a lover because I am both utterly transfixed and entirely empowered.
– Whizz Biddlecombe,
london
“Fetishes are exotic paths to erot-
Some things may never be
icism that many can’t under-
accepted in society, but that
stand, but which are conduits
may just be the reason why
to sensuality hidden in the
fetishists are only growing in
pull of this power in an (objec-
underbrush of less-traveled
numbers, especially here in San
tively speaking) simple object. I
trails to pleasure. Those who
Francisco. I, for one, say let
can have it, but at the same
follow standardized highways
your freak flag fly.”
Fetish is the constant tug and
time, it certainly has me.” – Madeleine, san
– Michelle, san
may not understand fetishists, francisco
francisco
who themselves adventure along the hidden path in the obscurity of shadows and ele-
“That one image, idea, or sensa“The fetish is a place for the spirit
tion that flicks your switch and
that is in you. The packets
turns you on—that’s a fetish.
attached to it give it efficacy.
Tattoos, feet, farts delivered
The blood sacrifices feed the
rapidly into the face, older
spirit and make it strong.”
women with hairy bushes—
– Mamadou,
ouagadougou
these predilections for one particular facet of life repeatedly feed a fetishist’s sexual mind
Fetishes need not be distasteful. Inanimate objects? Why not? It is complete sexual freedom.
which in turn fires their sexual body. We have collective cultural fetishes – the schoolgirl,
vate the mundane to transcendence.” – Miss Lagsalot,
new york city
“The fetish is what we call wood. It doesn’t matter if it’s new or old, the wood has no value to us but it does to others, so we sell it to them. – Fawzi,
art runner , bamako
TOP ALFRED BINET, C. 1900 MIDDLE THE MOST COMMON OF FETISHES, THE FOOT FETISH. ENGRAVING BY MARTIN VAN MAËLE TO ILLUSTRATE LA COMTESSE AU FOUET BY PIERRE MAC ORLAN (JEAN FORT, PARIS, 1926) BOTTOM RICHARD VON KRAFFT-EBING WITH HIS WIFE, MARIE LUISE, C. 1890