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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Craig Williams

Remembering when everyone took their kit off at a Glasgow bar for Scotland's first naked artwork

With indoor hospitality in Scotland to reopen on Wednesday (July 15), there may be some out there who feel like stripping off in celebration when they enter a pub again.

And that's exactly happened in one Manhattan-style cocktail bar in the west end of Glasgow back in July 2006 to celebrate it opening its doors for the first time.

When Bobar opened its doors on Byres Road, they came up with the 'exciting and daring' idea for a nude shoot within the bar entitled 'Naked At Bobar'.

They enlisted award-winning photographer Alistair Devine, who has photographed celebrities such as David Bowie and Billy Connolly, for the closed-doors photoshoot.

He put out a call for 30 volunteers of all shapes and sizes to strip off for a project which celebrated "the eclectic, bohemian and artistic spirit of Glasgow's west end".

Photographer Alistair Devine with pub goers ready to strip off (Media Scotland)

Emulating the work of American photographer Spencer Tunick, best known for organizing large-scale nude shoots, it was to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

Organisers said they were '"overwhelmed" at the response to the call for volunteers after receiving interest from more than 550 people willing to get naked in the name of art - with the 30 who were chosen aged between 21 and 66 and from all walks of life.

All the volunteers were all given roles to play such as that of a customer or a couple having a tiff, and a dress rehearsal was held with everyone wearing bath robes - before the photographer gave the instruction to get naked.

Punters stripping off in a Glasgow bar (DADA/Devine/Getty Images)

The end result of the shoot, which took about two and a half hours to set up, was an artwork which resembled a vibrant bar scene.

About the artwork, photographer Alistair Devine said: "We had people from all walks of life go down in Scottish history to create a unique and fun piece of art.

The project was a fantastic accomplishment for all involved and I am absolutely delighted with the final shot."

Who knows, we might see a repeat next week when the pubs reopen!

Spot anyone you know in the photo?

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