Those who attended Mineral Gallery’s first annual chastity belt show last summer, “Entrance Denied,” remember the ways in which Northwest artists took a spin on the medieval instrument and made the object witty, thoughtful and bold. The second round of belts in this year’s take on the theme, “Access Denied,” gives a whole new group of artists the chance to tackle creating contemporary versions of the archaic accessory.

According to the exhibit’s statement, “Access Denied” takes a modern exploration of a now defunct device, and puts a spin on the anticipated. “The mythology of the chastity belt reaches back to the Middle Ages, when a lady’s virtue was to be secured - forcibly - before her man galloped off to the battlefield. The works in ‘Access Denied’ fast forwards to the 21st century to explore the social, cultural and metaphorical nuances of chastity in an age where the Internet has all but dissolved personal boundaries.”

Containing 17 “belts,” the show highlights half of them on mannequin torsos and the other half are displayed in ways that highlight the form. Some belts are completely overt and honest with their intentions, while others utilize intellectual and thoughtful placement of objects to create impressions of wholesomeness interspersed with not-so-virginal thoughts.

Not a belt, but still exemplary of the theme, is David Schimer’s “No Free Play,” a slot machine with a chastity-based twist. “The game of chance is a fitting metaphor for life. Pull the handle, take a chance. Line up any three symbols and your fate is sealed. Listen to the wheel of fortune,” notes Schimer’s artist statement on the piece. Situated in a corner of the gallery on top of a display case, the piece begs to be pulled with its possibility to “score” assumed in its utilization and existence.

“The Virgin,” by Mineral owner Lisa Kinoshita, highlights a mannequin with the belt donning it, elaborately suited with eggs, a pulley, cowhide, an antique hammer, electrical tape, sterling silver, paper, rivets, filament and twine. Electrical tape traverses from the left side of the chest down to the waist, and is wrapped around the hide to produce a bow. A scroll of paper is wrapped up and tucked into the right side of the waist. Eggshells are placed in an apt position, hanging on wires from the pulley, next to the upside down hammer.

Bill Dawson’s “Freehand” takes a stab at gender roles in a playful way. The piece is composed of a leather belt with hand-fabricated copper and conchas sewed in. The piece is placed thoughtfully to imitate the female form, while still appearing “manly.” The copper female urinal placed in the front of the piece creates many phallic illusions as a separate object, but together they create an unstoppable modern chastity belt duo.

Tacoma artist Cheryl Rux created a pinata for the exhibit titled “There’s a Prize in Every Box” that will be auctioned off to the highest bidder with proceeds going to Planned Parenthood. The piece was created with bright pink paper mache, a toy ring, and ribbon was used to create a thong that lays over the piece.

The award for best in show was given to the belt “Rape of the Land,” made by Daichi Koyoma, and was chosen by Sarah Traver of Traver Gallery. The connection to Tacoma, land both physical and metaphorical, and money all came together to put this piece over the top for its ingenuity and relevance to the theme and area. The piece contains a leather belt with “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon,” and has a belt buckle with the infamous Asarco smelter logo on it, composed of brass.

Many more chastity belts in varying shapes, sizes and containing bold symbolism and interpretations of the meaning of the item fill the space and walls of the welcoming Mineral Gallery. Whether you had the opportunity to check out last year’s show or not, do not miss this chance to view many impressive and skilled artists try their hand at interpreting what exactly it means to have “Access Denied.”

“Access Denied” is currently on view at Mineral Gallery through Oct. 9. Mineral is located at 301 Puyallup Ave., Ste. A. Admission is free. New gallery hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., (hours may vary, please call ahead and ring the doorbell).  For more information, call (253) 250-7745.

Contact the writer at dquinn@tacomaweekly.com.