What liberated and interesting people you are. Not that we're surprised, of course - just nice to have a spot of confirmation.
When we wrote on this blog a few days back about American artist Spencer Tunick's installation on the Tyne bridge, we hoped you might offer your opinions on the event, perhaps some views on what you thought it was like to watch it on BBC3. Little did we expect that so many of you would have actually stripped to the buff and done the blessed thing.
But it seems you did. Lots of you. Nearly three-quarters of you were present up in Newcastle/Gateshead/somewhere in between, according to the Vulture's robust figures and impeccable grasp of statistics. Or at least claiming to be. (We wouldn't presume to accuse you of naturist oneupmanship, perish the thought.)
For the most part, the event seems to have had a huge personal impact. "It really was the most liberating thing I have done," claimed Jo – a view echoed by MKT, who described the evening as an "unbelievable experience", one that has "changed my perceptions of people, myself and the environment we live in."
"I went along not knowing what to expect other than expecting to feel embarrassed at stripping off," added John Holt. "It wasn't, it was liberating."
Beano said: "Superb atmosphere, all shapes, colours, ages and sizes: 1,700 naked souls totally at ease with each other - interesting, intelligent folk from all over the place. Fantastic experience; wouldn't have missed it for the world."
Jaymaster agreed: "The members of Spencer's crew and the security team who had their clothes on were the odd ones out. 1,700 people naked have a lot more power than a few clothed people." Gosh. Naturists of the world unite! Cast off your clothes and you will cast off your shackles!
Sophia8 admitted to a more relaxed perspective: "For me, it wasn't liberating, it wasn't cathartic, it wasn't enlightening. It was simply huge FUN!"
Not that everyone was convinced. "LAME," announced Brink Schnieder, dismissing the event as "overdone" and "boring, trite". "Riiight. That's art, is it?" commented FreeTheBeard, then continued (rather wittily, we thought): "and the small child yelled ... but the Emperor, he's naked."
Another critic, Steve K, suggested: "It's no more art than David Blaine in a plastic box," although he did concede that "it's nice to hear the participants get some kind of cathartic experience by getting their kit off in public."
Pete took a more pragmatic view. "I was there, with the wife," he writes. "Fantastic experience. Art?? I felt it was, but who cares? That is for each person to decide for themselves." Sophia8 took a more mischievous approach: "Sounds to me like the sourpusses are just jealous." Darned right they are, Sophia. Who wouldn't be?
But perhaps the final word should go to J Chapman: despite not taking part (despite not even having a TV at the moment), s/he announces, bravely: "I will be looking out for anything else similar that I can take part in." Hear, hear!
Unfortunately Tunick himself isn't giving much away about forthcoming events, but we're sure he'll be back. Watch this space. Preferably wearing nothing.
