The nakeds

Friday was the first Friday of the month, so as per semi-usual, Ross and I made our way out to Broad Street to get some free access to what the Richmond art world has to offer. But that night we had a particular destination: Gallery 5. I'm sure it was your destination as well, considering half a Richmond was there to see one particular exhibit: NAKED PEOPLE!!!!

Ross and I had been hearing about this exhibit for a while, via his connections with Patchwork Collective who is BFF with the Gallery 5 director. As soon as we heard about it we knew we would have to go-it would guarantee to be a night full of awkward situations and Ross and I looking at each other and whispering, "OHMYGAHHHHHHHHD!!!"

There was a decent line when we got there around 7:30. Once we made our way into the building, we stopped to watch Matt White of Patchwork conduct his improv jazz/rock/tunrtable/etc. esemble. The DJ even made Ross a balloon hat. The, FINALLY it was time to go stare at nudes and be immature. After standing for 30+ minutes in line composed of people who either wanted beer or wanted to see naked people (the bar and stairs to the exhibit were right next to each other-poor planning indeed), we triumphantly made our way up the stairs. And there they were: The nakeds.

They were posed atop pedastles, sheerly painted with various designs, trying to not look at the people who were trying to not seem like pervies as they looked at them. There were various parts everywhere, and it seemed that no one knew where to look. The thing that made me laugh was how quickly people circled through the exhibit. Cause I mean, when you look at a painting or sculpture, you can stand and stare, lean in a little to get a better perception of texture or stroke. But, if you did this it would just make everyone feel uncomfortable. Maybe that was the point. I dunno. But I *do* know that when we left the building, the line had gotten INsanely long, almost wrapping around the building. What can you do? Richmond loves the nakedness!