Friday I had dinner with Spencer and Jonathan, and Spencer explained his plans for 3 setups on a drawing (of course I kept it). The next day my friend Peter and I took a taxi from the hotel to arrive very near the site. Because it is difficult for me to walk long distances, Spencer organized for the taxi to park next to the 3rd site. We went under the cherry picker and waited there talking to the crew, after a few hundred people - already naked - had gone by, Jonathan gave us the signal to go and stay on the left side of the pier. At that time I had already noticed that a few people must have spent the night at the pubs, there was a lot of joking - some fun, some just silly. When Spencer gave the instructions it was difficult for some people to follow them, they were very rowdy and Spencer had to repeat and even beg for them to do what he wanted, it delayed the installation a lot, I had not seen such unruly crowd since Lyon.

The two fun occurances were the big ferries passing by and the two birds flying over us... we were all hoping they would not decide to poo!!!!!

The 3 different positions were "classic" Tunick positions. I want to thank some people who helped me get up after each pose, just like in Vienna people were very friendly.

The atmosphere was great fun and friendly but I was so happy when it ended and I could go back to the taxi. I continued shaking for 20 minutes. I returned to my hotel naked under my robe with my clothes in the plastic bag, ready for the longest hot shower of my life.

There was a man in a wheelchair and I wanted him to know how much I admired his courage; looking at him reminded me I should never complain about little aches and pains at my age (72) and a titanium rod bracing 8 vertebrae. I feel alive and well.

I love Spencer's experiences, so liberating, we are all alike: old and young, fat or thin, man or woman.
Thank you Spencer, you are a great artist and a great person.

When we came out and saw the long line of buses outside Custom House it seemed incredible and as we got down to the queue and saw the huge mix of people in the crowd, I felt much less apprehension. Waiting for the sun to rise over Dublin bay was fantastic and everyone seemed to be chatting with everyone and just waiting for it to start, people were quizzing each other on the poses we were asked to memorise.

When the announcement came at 5am for everyone to get naked it seemed to take seconds until there was a sea of bare white flesh. Then the slow long walk to our spots. Spencer had told us that we would be furthest away on the first setup as we had to go right to the end of the pier, but that we would be closest at the second setup. But typical Irish weather scuppered those plans. So here I was naked in front of hundreds of complete strangers, as we slowly picked our way over the granite blocks and the cold started to bite much to my shame. 

The walk back to our clothes was a lot less formal as the walk down, with people bunching together no one caring that they were naked any more. Nudity and cold are great levellers and as someone piped up "this is why naturism will never be big in Ireland". People chatted with complete strangers and I met some fantastic people. For me, who would have been self conscious before hand and was wondering how I could suck my gut in for the period of the shoot, as soon as I was naked it seemed to evaporate with everyone else's clothes. It was a life affirming moment when I saw that everyone else was just the same as me - young and old, all shapes and sizes on display and no one caring. 

The first setup must have taken 45 minutes and a lot of people had had enough so were going to head home but I was here for the long haul so I stuck it out. As we got dressed many others were of the same opinion as me. 

But when we reached the beach no instructions to get naked were required as everyone frantically ripped clothes off and then ran into the sea. This was one of the best parts of the event for me, as around 500 people frolicked naked in the water, people doing star jumps as directed by the assistants, and everyone breaking into choruses of "Ole Ole". The setup itself was fantastic and  cheers went up as it was over as everyone splashed back out and ran for their clothes. The ultimate moment for me was when the ladies thanked me for not letting them go, as they said they would have regretted not doing it.

Overall it was fantastic and if Spencer ever comes back I will definitely do it again, or maybe even travel to a warmer climate.
The spirit of friendship and camaraderie made this old cynic believe in human nature again and appreciate what I have and what I look like. I am definitely a happier person because of it and it was a morning well spent.

But what a crowd. While naked and waiting for the instructions, the crowd started a spontaneous Mexican wave. I could only think to myself where else would 2700 naked people think about doing a Mexican wave to pass the time. My next abiding memory is the arrival of the port traffic in the form of 2 ferries from the Uk. They passed within a few hundred metres of the South Wall and what a sight  must have greeted those passengers. For those on their first trip to Ireland, I reckon they will never forget that greeting, and the guy doing the naked cartwheels along the wall.

The first setup comprised 3 positions: 1 - standing looking out to sea, 2 - sitting back sunbathing and 3 - the foetal position where we hugged the granite for some warmth, such was the chill in the air.

Then the rain came, it chucked it down and the second setup on the wall was abandoned and replaced by an impromptu dash into the sea and 2 poses, one facing the camera and another looking away out to sea, both with heads bowed. One participant actually sang "Singing in the Rain" and the crowd took it up. A lovely moment shared by all which will remain with me long long after the ripples in the sea have disappeared. Sandymount Strand will never be the same. I'm sure James Joyce would approve.

To say I enjoyed the experience simply does not go far enough. It was the most exhilirating, exciting, challenging and fun filled night I have ever experienced, bar none. To the people I  met on the night, particularly Elizabeth from Dublin City centre, Maureen from Toronto, Mick and Emer all the way from Waterford a big hello, and my old friend Brian without whom I might not have done it. 

Sunday's one wasn't quite the same, with so few people in comparison. Weirdly enough, kissing your partner for a few minutes for a camera is not really much of a turn on, I preferred when we hugged. Although we got most of our amusement from the gay couple we shared the apartment balcony with, the minute they got their clothes off (about 15mins before the actual shoot) they were all over each other, and constantly had to be told by one of the staff not to touch the bed/chairs/table/any surface as the apartments are completely fitted out with furniture, bed linen etc. for renting!) One of the guys kept wiggling his ass while kissing his boyfriend, and with there being no extra space between us all, it meant he was wiggling it back into my bum too!

So glad I managed to get to do it, was hoping so much that my baby wouldn't arrive before I got the chance to be a part of this!!! 

I was thrilled to get an invite to Sunday's morning installation. It was much calmer and much more perosnal, Spencer was chatty and happy to answer questions. It was held in a new apartment building on Pearse St. opposite Grand Canal Sqaure - such luxury!

We were divided into couples and singles. First shot was couples hugging and kissing - alas I did not see this one. Second shot was groups of 3 or 4 people on each balacony - took 5 mins and then back into the lovely warm apartment.

Third shot was all the girls on the roof of the building. A rainbow appeared and there was a mad scramble as we all took our clothers off and ran onto the roof. Spencer took a few snaps, moved us about from one side of the balcony to the other. At one stage he was asking some girls to move closer to each other and he said "I'm trying to cover up some wood here" (floor was a wooden deck like surface) that was funny and he knew it!

As we made our way back downstairs we were scolded by Paul "girls put some clothes on, its cold out" More humor from the Tunick crew... I liked it.

Sunday was fun but didn't have the exhiliarting feeling I got from the beach shot - but then again it was more personal. I'd do it again regardless of weather - anything for that exhiliarting feeling. I think the cold and rain may have added to the Saturday experience - Sunday was just too easy...

I have to say how very friendly Irish people are, its been a pleasure to be here.
 

Easy getting to South Wall and then a long wait in good company, instructions via barely audible PA and word passed along the line.  (South Wall built by Capt William Bligh of HMS Bounty fame in mid 1700s!!). Sun creeping over neck of Howth Head, very dramatic, great camaraderie, mother and daughter shared their coffee with me, and then, at 4.50, the word from Spencer - "get your clothes off now - everything".  No inhibitions anywhere, just do it, all good humoured and then the walk towards the lighthouse on the cold flagstones as the wind crept up from the east. One great mass of nakedness heading towards the lighthouse and the sea beyond.  Who else could have imagined it except Spencer Tunick!!

Plenty of chill time as lines for four formed for set up 1, and the ships passed by - passengers must have wondered what in hell is going on here?? Then the call to face the sunrise (by then becoming cloud obscured), then the chilling prospect of poses 2 and 3 on the ground. All great fun, good hunoured and worth the experience.  Only one very, very slim lady succumed to the elements and left.  The rest: thrilled to be naked together looking at the sun coming up over Dublin.  An hour had passed and time to get dressed and ready for set-up 2, but then the rain began to spill from the Irish Sea.   Set up 2 abandoned as more and more decided enough was enough, and headed home.  As we passed the camera hoist, and the rain came heavy and cold, Spencer extolls us to hang around for one last shot on the beach.  Yes, no?  Stay or go? Yes, no? It was "go" - home that is.

Then at the last minute by the beach, a very beautiful and naked lady says "you're not going to miss this are you?" .  What the hell, it was stay.  So peeled off, joined the running, shouting, laughing, excited rush to the beach.  Wahhhhhh, this was it.  500 beautiful naked bodies splashing around on the beach, wet, cold but what the hell.  It was partytime.  Splashing, laughing, jumping, dancing, singing - Spencer we love you and thank you.  Ole, ole, ole sings out. Catharsis!  Spencer calls for a pose:  heads bowed, face the sea, heads down, stay calm, dont look to camera.  Feet warming as they sink into the sand, cold and rain forgotten.  Then done and one big cheer, mass rush back up the beach, ovation for Spencer, clapping, cheering as he thanks us from his camera podium.  It was done, it as fun, it was once.  He had come, he had created, he had moved all 2500 of us.  Spencer, we love you.   Please come again.  We promise next time there will be no rain, no cold, but thousands more people to make art and have fun with you.  Promise!!