Under the skin

December 4, 2013 6:51 PM

"X-ray images usually show the finite nature of our bodies composed only of matter. But these couples' portraits reveal a pulse that isn’t normally seen." —Ayako Kanda and Mayuka Hayashi.
posted by Athanassiel (15 comments total)

These are really incredible.
posted by curious nu at 6:55 PM on December 4, 2013

So lovely!
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 7:02 PM on December 4, 2013

The one of the couple embracing is very moving.
posted by darkstar at 7:22 PM on December 4, 2013

Um, how many full body x-ray exposures did it take to get these five portraits?
posted by figurant at 7:43 PM on December 4, 2013 [5 favorites]

Wow, reminds me of this.
posted by oinopaponton at 8:17 PM on December 4, 2013 [6 favorites]

Excellent.
posted by turbid dahlia at 9:12 PM on December 4, 2013

These are beautiful.
posted by desuetude at 10:10 PM on December 4, 2013

First thing I tought of too, oinopaponton. Very moving.
posted by Harald74 at 11:49 PM on December 4, 2013

Wow! So beautiful they gave me a weird feeling.
posted by Kerasia at 12:02 AM on December 5, 2013

Ionizing radiation is not a toy.
posted by Goofyy at 12:53 AM on December 5, 2013 [8 favorites]

Hawt.
posted by Mezentian at 2:09 AM on December 5, 2013

Clearly I'm in the minority here but I find them creepy as hell. They remind me of Holbien momento mori etchings. I know I'll be dead soonish but must I see such a visible reminder so early in the morning? Aaaackk.
posted by Cuke at 5:14 AM on December 5, 2013

Wow, reminds me of this.

That was my first thought as well.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:31 AM on December 5, 2013

Huh. I thought it was going to be a literal pulse, perhaps made by timed barium swallows or something else involving radiation, not a subjective metaphorical pulse. So, they're ok.
posted by Zack_Replica at 7:36 AM on December 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

Cuke, I'm with you on that. My experience with x-rays--my own, family, and friends, has always involved a lot of 'oh shit' and 'ouch' so I'm obviously biased.
posted by BlueHorse at 7:09 PM on December 5, 2013