Originally published on Friday, 1st May 2009

State of the Art

We always thought public nudity was best left to the Germans. But it seems Britain is losing its sangfroid with the sunshine. A naked glass blower wants to stand atop the Fourth Plinth, Britain’s Next Top Model was a floating-nipple-fest last Monday, and Lady Gaga’s still terrorising our shores in her pants. All in the name of art.

Hey, even Channel 4 are on board. July will see the first ever televised life drawing classes, bringing nudity to your living room before the watershed. These will be preceded by nationwide public ‘pop-up’ classes, encouraging bystanders to get their pencils out.

Get some practice in beforehand at Papered Parlour, launching tomorrow as Clapham’s answer to craft, minus the doilies. Classes including life drawing, jewellery design and book-making are run entirely by graduates of University of the Arts London, whilst serious arteests can get down to business in the rentable workspace.

And should you need a swanky space to show off your new skills, where better than talent agency INC’s new members club? A state-of-the-Art facility across five floors, the contemporary interior offers art and photographic studios, launch spaces and presentation facilities.

Your body is a wonderland. And now it can offer daytrips.

by MaM