Vacuum-Sealed Couples

If you tend to feel smothered in your romantic relationships, these photos of vacuum-sealed couples might leave you gasping for air.

Yes, you read that right. Vacuum-sealed couples. Because what says love like being shrink-wrapped to your significant other like a couple of old wool sweaters trying to keep the moths away?

First, let us reassure the claustrophobic romantics out there that this isn't a 2012 version of getting pinned. It's "Flesh Love," a Japanese artist's exploration of the intimate ties that bind (very tightly).

"I am currently seeking new dimensions in portrait photography by challenging the majestic theme of mankind, defined through love," the artist known as Photographer Hal writes on his Web site.

New dimensions, indeed.

For his photos--some on display at the Wall Space Gallery in Santa Barbara, Calif., through January 29--he wraps willing couples in plastic normally used to store futon covers, then sucks the air out with a vacuum cleaner. The subjects have to hold their breath, the photographer tells CNET, but just for 10 seconds, enough time for him to shoot a couple of quick pics 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. The results--weird, whimsical, sometimes tender, and often embryonic--appear in a book from Japanese publisher Tosei-sha, and will also be available in a $13 iPad app.

While the photo sessions are necessarily brief, it's probably safe to say that even the most bonded couple might have reservations about being cocooned in plastic wrap. 

See pictures HERE!





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