Art and bodily fluids belong together. But since the Shroud of Turin, people have moved on to a more "modern form": semen jewellery is a hit
Although one might think that bodily fluids should not see the light of the (public) world in general, the fact is that they have already managed to penetrate into art. Mother's milk, blood, and even semen are used to do some truly incredible things (and the same goes for human ashes, for example). While many meanings have been attributed to semen throughout human history - and some have been convinced that it has superhuman properties and should be worshipped - no one has yet thought to work with it in such a way that it has essentially become a "talisman". This is exactly how the current novelty of jewellery using male semen can be viewed.
The fact that people are sentimental and try to keep their loved ones, or even their pets, close to them at all times probably comes as no surprise. This is why products made from the ashes of the deceased (which, surprisingly for some, can look really tasteful) have become such a solid business, and it was a step from there to offering products that used human hair, breast milk, blood, etc. This is exactly the area that the artist Amanda Booth has focused on in her work, and she ended up expanding her range in a rather unusual direction by promoting her products on social media. In the comments under one of her posts, she was asked if she had ever considered working with semen. And while the artist subsequently more or less joked about the idea, almost immediately she started receiving serious orders. So she had no choice but to face the challenge... head on.
How to do it?
So Booth first tested the entire production process with the help of her husband to see how much semen was actually needed to work with it and make something "wearable" out of it. So she tried different ratios of semen to clay so that the result could also be cooked, and concluded that one teaspoon was plenty sufficient. And as soon as she posted the information about her successful experiment on TikTok, she was literally flooded with orders for "sperm necklaces", "sperm bracelets", etc., which resemble pearls in appearance. So the artist is now actually offering custom-made jewelry as part of a collection she calls "Jizzy Jewelry," and also writes on her website, "Whether you want to highlight your fertility journey, desire a vasectomy gift, or just want to be closer with your partner, we can turn your sperm into a real gem." And since the artist is said to be close to the concept of inclusivity, not only male semen can be used, but also female ejaculate (yay...).
And how does the whole ordering process work? Clients who are interested in this unique type of jewellery must first send their semen to the artist - who dries it, creates a powder and then uses the material to make various accessories, basically according to the client's wishes. Of course, there are pitfalls to this work too - for as Booth herself admits, her art is not exactly fragrant. "We have to let the samples that go through the mail air out. Once I wanted to process them soon after I unwrapped the package. And I won't do it again," she explained.
Why have your partner's sperm on your neck? (ahem)
The mix of clientele interested in "cum-jewelry" is definitely interesting, too. One fairly clearly defined group is people who are close to the BDSM community - and they usually acquire these accessories with a clear goal: to demonstrate dominance and submission in a relationship. "We have bracelets that are actually collars, and also jewellery that typically symbolises a consensual possessive relationship," is how one customer described being approached by the range of semen jewellery.
However, the fact is that although it is a very specific product, it is also of interest to a clientele that has nothing to do with BDSM. "We often get very negative feedback about semen jewellery, but we have found that the reasons for buying it are often very emotional," explained Victoria Rudkin, whose shop also offers this type of product. "We've made this jewellery for people who have been through gender reassignment, fertility treatments and even cancer treatments. Sometimes people also order them as a celebration of their fertility and love for their partner, which is also a beautiful cause. So while semen jewellery is not everyone's cup of tea, there is usually a sentiment behind its creation, so it is not for anyone to judge those who are interested in it," she summarised.
Actually, no news
Perhaps wearing semen around your neck or wrist may seem quite over the line. But the truth is that our ancient ancestors were actually convinced of the power of bodily fluids. The Mayans and Aztecs routinely worked with blood, and early painters also mixed pigment with their own saliva. And by the way, does the Veil of Saint Veronica mean anything to you? That's the cloth on which Christ's bloodied and weeping face was supposedly printed. And although this cloth has disappeared forever, the Shroud of Turin is now common knowledge. And some of the stains on it may be blood (though of course it is questionable exactly whose). But the fact is that Christ's blood and Mary's tears have seen a number of different representations - so it is no wonder that this creative inspiration working with the meaning of bodily fluids lives on today. Even if, in the case of semen-jewellery, it takes a rather bizarre form...
