 webmaster of UK.People.Bodyart, co-founder of the newsgroup uk.people.bodyart, and maintainer of the group's IRC channel, #bodyart-uk, on efnet. |
Cora Birk
Cora has some of the best written columns dealing with some of the most extreme subjects in the Modification field. The shape shift and experiences she is going through most certainly qualifies as a Modified Mind. It's been a long and rough road.
 Piercer and manager of The Edge Tattoo in Rhode Island, in the process of organizing a Boston based suspension group. |
Honestly, there are way too many people that have made serious contributions to this community without which who knows where we'd all be. So many that naming any one person or group of people would be almost impossible without leaving someone out since the list is huge. So I'll simply say this; To those of you in and out of the industry, practitioners, enthusiasts, webmasters/mistresses, supporters, who've made the industry, community and world what it is today, Thank you.
 former staff member of BME's QOD. |
Erik Sprague
I really wanted to pick someone that has been a very public face for body modification, so who better than Erik? He has brought sideshow to audiences all over the world and been a very visible modified celebrity. Most of all, though, he is highly intelligent and well-spoken, which reflects well on the rest of us. I never fail to be amazed by how many people are familiar with him, and have a new view of tattoos, piercings, sideshow acts, etc. because of what they saw. I wish him continued success, a happy marriage, and a wonderful 2004! Keep up the good work.
 mod enthusiast. |
Steve Haworth
Steve Haworth brought 3-D implants into the mainstream (not necessarily this year) and continues to make huge strides in the world of 3-D art. Currently working on new technology that will "revolutionize the way implants are done", and judging from his past success, the future is definitely here.
 the mind behind BME. |
I'm torn between nominating Jim Ward and Cora Birk.
Jim Ward
Jim Ward coming out of the woodwork after a decade of silence to produce an online autobiography of the modern piercing moment has got me absolutely riveted, and from the piercers who grew up with Jim as one of their idols, I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. In addition, his stories about things as "simple" as coming out should touch every reader on a personal level.
Cora Birk
Cora Birk shares the praise -- her intimate and courageous articles on the process of going through a male to female sex change are one of the first things I've read in years that are giving me massive insight into new facets of the human experience. In addition, watching her go through this momentous change is helping me a lot with the far less significant changes that I go through myself.
 mod enthusiast, involved with the Om Summer Solstice Festival. |
IAM.Bmezine
This goes to the collective consciousness that is IAM.Bmezine. I think that as far as online communities go, this is a very strong one. People regularly make friends on and off line, organize celebrations, keep other members informed on important events, and really create a family atmosphere. This is going to become more important as time goes on, that modded people stick together and work together to help achieve common goals and objectives.
