Sharon and Vika ‘Teaser’ by Rigin

When one is photographing two women together, and yet one is not putting on airs about their being “lesbians” or “lovers,” then the goal is the erotica of contrast. Two women must elicit a multitude of differences, and each difference must be exciting and contribute “something extra” to the entire viewing experience as an erotic event. In this particular series, Rigin has achieved this differentiating effect by casting Sharon E and Vika N together, two models who, on the face of it, might seem similar, but who in fact offer a perfect example of the way in which contrast can contribute to sensual heightening.

There are several different contrasting forces occurring in this gallery. The first that’s most apparent is the visual one. Sharon is darker, Vika is lighter. Sharon is the brunette, Vika the blonde. Sharon’s eyes are brown, Vika’s are blue. Sharon is also considerably tanner, while Vika maintains a deep winter pale. A number of associations can be dreamt up given these contrasts – chocolate and vanilla, dark and light, night and day, south and north, etc…placing each of the girls on a distant axis of desire that opens up interpretive room for the viewer to enter into the scenario.

Another contrast exists in the attitudes, or what one might call the “esprit,” of the models. In line with the darker/lighter dichotomy, Sharon appears to be the “stronger” and the more “aggressive” of the two, while Vika remains on the more “tender” and “passive” side of the posing relationship. To highlight this difference, one could point out that it is more often Sharon that is “on top” or “taking the initiative,” by, for instance, whispering into Vika’s ear or curling her legs around her waist. Vika, on the other hand, seems to be in the recipient position. This contrast is most evident in the fact that Vika spends a lot of time looking at the camera, while Sharon spends her time looking at Vika. The “desire” in the series clearly lies with Sharon FOR Vika, while Vika’s desire is pointing out of the photos, at the viewer.

Of course, the exception always makes the rule. We do see Vika on top of Sharon now and then, but when Sharon is on top of Vika, she is looking “menacing” and “seductive,” whereas, while Vika is on top of Sharon, she is smiling and laughing, almost embarrassed at being ‘in the on top position.” All in all, the effect is two young women at play in bed, and their personalities emerge in the contrasts. And it is these contrasts that give their play so much enjoyment for the viewer who, through their difference, is able to imagine himself playing between the two sensual opposites.