Jerwood Tunick Flash Mob

Naked on the Stade

Thirty or so  brave souls turned up at the Stade, carrying dressing gowns, anoraks, anything to cover up, ready to strip off and bare all in the name of art. HOT reporter Lauris Morgan-Griffiths went down to see what was going on.

Last year the Jerwood Gallery was in competition with two other UK museums to ‘win’ the museum night with the Chapmans. This year the prize on offer is Spencer Tunick – the artist famous for photographing crowds of people naked.  He has created ‘installations’ in many locations including Mexico City, Portugal, the Dead Sea and New York City.  In New York he was arrested five times for photographing people outside and naked. Then he filed a federal civil rights law suit against New York City to protect himself and his ‘models’ from arrest.

Let’s hope  the Jerwood Gallery wins the vote to host Spencer Tunick in Hastings in May. And that Hastings will be tolerant of nudity. And the police won’t get arrest-happy. The townspeople love dressing up, so why not dress down?

Just as the ‘models’ were walking to the Stade in their dressing gowns etc., it began to drizzle. Luckily the rain held off and the temperature was relatively warm.

To save any blushes – and protect their modesty – some press photographs were taken. And then for the sake of some newspaper readers (I heard the Daily Mail mentioned), everyone was asked to stand for a little longer, the ‘Vote for Hastings’ sign arranged to hide male and female parts, and the photo-call was over. They tramped back to Stade Hall and then all the participants were taken for coffee.

They deserved it. I have great respect for everyone who took part. Brave men and women. Well done.

Even if you didn’t go down to show your all, you can vote for the ‘installation’ until January 28  by voting here.

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