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Body Talk Joumana Haddad I think like a girl takes off her dress Georges Bataille It’s a new issue in a new body. A body born in those creative births of yesterday, today and all times; self-born and not a blocked wall. It’s a body in several tangible and thought of bodies, all intermingling, following each other and auto-reproductive, just like the Matryoshka Russian dolls. A new body; it is indeed. And I’d better use it in the plural form, since it is many bodies. Because we, when singular, are more than just an existence or a number. A body that knows neither restrictions nor times. Because when the body is unleashed, it won’t be possible to confine its meanings, or ages…. or bodies. ■■■ In this second edition, our magazine celebrates the male body, in all its appealing, ingenious and conquering protrusions; exhilarating in their grandeur and collapse. A subjugated body it is; blanked out and as absent in its presence as present in life itself. Rare are the times when I read it extolled, whilst from an aesthetic and rational standpoint, it outshines the female body, when represented as a motive of inspiration and interaction. As if - by force of becoming the “doer” and the narrator - it had been deprived from the pleasure of becoming the subject. A body entrapped in the viewer’s eyes; longing to become the scene, like a cunning man killed by his slyness. Let us, this time, be the voyeur and give this body a sheer pleasure out of our voyeurism. After all, who said that celebrating the manifestations of physical masculinity is not a celebration of both sexes alike? Doesn’t a man have his vagina and tunnels, just as a woman has her penis and erections? It’s mandatory that we realize this duality, if we stop denying our mental and spiritual androgynity, to say the least. “The penis” will be our first topic and erotic theme, followed by two topics which are fused into one subject: social and anti-aesthetic, in harmony with the home violence theme: violence as a sociological practice firstly, and in its distorted physical interpretations secondly. We’ve also added new topics such as “Civilizations and Rituals”, “Because it is Also Spirit” and “Health & Beauty”. On the other side, we’ve made some alterations in previous plans and announcements, due to reasons we name ‘strategic’. We also wish to pay tribute to some “unconventional” magazines which deal with the body theme and erotica around the world. As such, our first magazine will be “Erotic Review” from the We would appreciate if you, dear readers, could inform us about similar magazines in your country of residence. We’ve received a huge amount of letters and emails after the publication of the first issue. We would like to thank all the “Jasad” admirers, and cynics as well. ■■■ On the margin …then they hemmed and hawed, adjusted their seats, sipped their coffees, puffed on theirs cigarettes, coughed themselves hoarse, and muttered among themselves: * The magazine is big yet with a narrow scope, it’ll run out of subjects after three issues. - I said: I have a vision for 10 years to come. After the 10 years’ issues end, check with me then and we’ll see. * They said: but it has got plenty of articles, while the photos are less. - I replied: this is a cultural publication and not a nude show. * They asked: if the purpose is cultural, why have you chosen such indecent photos? - I replied: excuse me ladies and gentlemen if those photos hurt your prudery. But they are sourced from art references that are at the core of art, and which most of its titles figure on the shelves of your libraries. * They retorted: she’s looking for attention. - I answered: I’ve had plenty of that. I was not after fame; my hard work brought it to me. * They responded: she’s spoiling the new generations. * I replied: then toss out all your computers, TVs and electronic games, and come debate this issue with me. - They said: we utterly reject such things. * I replied: very simple. Whoever does not like the magazine let her or him… not buy it. - They said: our society is not yet ready to discuss such matters. * I answered: and by what authority you “adults“ speak out on behalf of the “youth”? - They said: such things are not from our traditions or heritage. * I replied: and what do you know about those traditions or heritage, you descendants of Abu Nuwas, Al-Nafzawi, Al-Sayouti, Al-Tifashi, “Al Aghani” and “One Thousand and One Nights”? - They asked: what about the topics of circumcision, obesity, virginity, rape, senescence, crimes of honor, plastic surgery, abortion and and and? * I replied: well, take a deep breath folks; it’s just two issues in a 10-year plan. - They grunted: God will punish you! * I said: nope, He won’t! Because He knows me and I know Him. After all, it’s between Him and me. ■■■ One last word: Jasad is for mature people. Especially those who are mentally mature. They are quite a lot, and know themselves. Translated by Amin Afif
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