Artist Vacuum Seals Couples For Photo Portraits

Tokyo-based photographer Hal vacuum-sealed couples together to create a bizarre photo series titled ‘Flesh Love’.

Hal wraps willing couples in plastic normally used to store futon covers, then sucks the air out with a vacuum cleaner nearly smothering them. The subjects then have to hold their breath for about 10 seconds, while he snaps a couple of quick pictures with his Pentax 645D DSLR. Sometimes the models are clothed, other times naked, and occasionally they'll bring a prop, like a guitar, into their vacuum pack of love. ‘Flesh Portrait’ is available in a book form and will also be available in a $13 iPad app.

If you are wondering where he gets his couples, the artist explains:

I go to Kabukicho in Shinjuku, underground bars in Shibuya, and many other places which are full of activity like luscious night time bee-hives. When I see a couple of interest I will begin to negotiate. I'm sure that many people initially think of my proposal as unusual or even look through me like I am completely invisible, but I always push forward with my challenge to them. The models appear from all walks of life and individually have included musicians, dancers, strippers, laborers, restaurant and bar managers, photographers, businessmen and women, unsettled and unemployed, et al.

[via Cnet]