Arts & Entertainment

Welcome to Yaqi's world

By Jason Gagnon
The Daily Cougar

A local Houston filmmaker and former UH student is bringing himself into the international spotlight with his documentaries.

He goes by the name of Yaqi, and aside from receiving several awards recognizing his achievement in film, he has made multiple appearances on the Howard Stern Show and other programs. So what is it about his art that has drawn worldwide attention?

"Documented sessions of people I tie down and tickle," Yaqi said.

Looking very much like Jim Jarmusch in the dimly lit bar where we were seated, Yaqi summed up his artistic predilection by saying, "Tickling is cool and having a tickling fetish is cool."

Others definitely agree, based on the media exposure, the number of hits on his Web site and the large amount of videos heis sold.

Some may argue that his work, video and still images depicting "an individual, usually a scantily clad woman, whois bound and tickle tortured," borders pornographic.

"Iive never been called a pervert," Yaqi said.

Still, the possibility exists that some patrons of his Web site might be viewing the videos with something other than intellectual curiosity in mind. The artist can do little to prevent that.

If one were to do so, they would be missing the point of Yaqiis work. He defends his art by arguing that it is an examination of the emotions brought about by tickling.

"I present it as an aspect of our culture that is still very much taboo. Tickling sets off so many different emotions in people and no two react the same," Yaqi said. 

In addition, Yaqi believes the taboo might stem from inhibitions people have about the sensual nature of tickling.

Maybe it is the fascination or reserve with this subject that helps to increase his exposure. Aside from the "huge worldwide community of people interested in tickling" who frequent his site and purchase his videos, the Houston Press has named Yaqi as the cityis Best Fetishist.

And, while making an appearance on the Howard Stern Show in Las Vegas, Yaqi was able to tie down and tickle adult film star Jenna Jameson.

Things only look like theyill get better for the controversial filmmaker. 

He is currently talking to the producers of the Oprah Winfrey Show, and still gets plenty of attention in the press. He characterizes himself and the interest heis garnered by saying, "Everyone knows that Iim Yaqi the tickler, who loves to tickle. And I have never had anyone look at me and go, ‘Gosh, what you do is weird, what you do is strange.i Of course there are people that donit understand it, but you canit please everyone."

You can view clips and images of Yaqiis work at the newly renovated www.yaqisworld.com.

 Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu