One & Other

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About me

So, I've been thinking about what I want to do and why I want to do it and...

I would dearly like to be able to sit, modestly, naked, for my hour.

I'm not an exhibitionist but if this is about me, then a naked me is the most honest, pure, unaffected me there is, and, after a few years of depression, anxiety and very low self-esteem I am delighted to have gained a huge amount of belief in me - and that's something to celebrate.

However... I might go up in my wedding dress instead - it is after all one of the most significant days of my life!!!

My brother had a place on the first day, and hearing him talk about it inspired me to have a look at the website, and whilst there I just happened to click on the 'apply' button - I mean, there wouldn't be a cat in hell's chance of getting a place on the plinth- after all my brother all ready has a place - what would the chances of me getting one too?!

I'm now really excited and nervous and feel a huge weight of responsibility. I'm to represent a cross section of society - in the name of art. It's historical, monumental (literally), epic, awesome.

And I'm only little!

So, since positng this, poor Simon was asked to cover up. That scared me a bit. I had just about convinced myself that going nude was definatly what I wanted to do and then this decision was shaken by the thought of being asked to cover up. How would that affect me, knowing that I had offended someone? I don't want to be controversial (although I accept that a small amount of controvesy is inevitable!), I also don't want to be seen as jumping on a band wagon. If I do this...being naked and all... I do it because I feel comfortable with it.

My current thinking is that if someone complained, if they found my nudity offensive, then, of course, I would cover up. But it wouldn't bother me, after all that is their issue, not mine.

Comments

At 16:30, 10 December 2009 Tony wrote:

you were beautiful xxx well done very brave xx
At 03:21, 12 October 2009 Joseph wrote:

You are beautiful...clothed and unclothed. I wish I could have heard your internal voice during this hour. My clothes off to you,Susanna
At 09:01, 10 October 2009 Pete wrote:

Look at all those people being overcome with the vapours and having to be attended to by paramedics, the fleet of ambulances carting off those who have been seriously overcome.

OK, reality check here, no one is upset by nudity, the truth is even those who claim to be offended aren't really offended, they are driven by religious fervor or are being offended on behalf of those they THINK might be offended.

If you don't like it, look away, but please don't try to force your false modesty on others.
At 00:16, 10 October 2009 Phil wrote:

Wonderful.

Neither hiding nor performing, you were certainly "the most honest, pure, unaffected me there is"

And what could be more dignified or more beautiful? So simple, yet so moving and uplifting.

You remind us of what a miraculous thing a human being is.
At 03:01, 07 October 2009 Da Vinci wrote:

chances of anyone taking interest in this 'art' without any nudity = 0%
At 22:23, 03 October 2009 Ellie and David wrote:

we and so many of our friends have played and replayed this many times, everyone loves it and loves you, and many of us wish we were daring enough to have done it. You are totally totally beautiful.
At 15:31, 03 October 2009 Tiffany Oben wrote:

Just wondered how your hecklers were. Mine were nasty, and none of the other naked plinthers seemed to have got as bad. Not sure if it was the 4am spot, the dregs of bank holiday drunkenness, the symbolic castration or anomalous gender that caused it.
At 23:51, 28 September 2009 sharon wrote:

beautiful and honest...

thanks for you hour, so dignified
At 15:04, 21 September 2009 Dave wrote:

I saw this progression of emotion:

1. Nervous, moving chair and stuffed toy around

2. Undress

3. Nervous laughter, laughing toward the crowd

4. Oh my god, I actually did this

5. Big sigh of relief

6. Neutral period (almost an hour)

7. Well, I did it

8. Get dressed

9. Gee that was fun - bow to the adoring crowd

10. Wow, I didn't realize how cold I have actually gotten!

11. Gather my stuff up

12. I feel so good now, those people appreciated me

Let me guess...

13. I could do this again!

Bravo!
At 14:48, 08 September 2009 Jaki wrote:

Your profile statement was so powerful it brought tears to my eyes, then when you actually disrobed up there I was in floods! You are a brave and inspirational woman. True art and beautiful. I agree with Brian .. and a recording of this should be housed in the National Gallery. Goon on you!!!!
At 20:08, 05 September 2009 Julius wrote:

Beautiful
At 01:39, 02 September 2009 Deirdre Campbell wrote:

well done Susanna, very beautiful, you should be proud of you - very artistic and wonderful
At 21:20, 30 August 2009 simone wrote:

Sadly, the video wasn't available to see...was that because it was later censored? If that's the case then why have other naked people been allowed to have their hour of glory shown? I have been randomly been picking plinthers from the last week or so and I saw two beautiful naked guys, so why not you Susanna?

I'm sure that you were beautiful up there and well done you!
At 22:24, 23 August 2009 Rosa wrote:

Congratulations!

I would love to hear your views from up there.
At 21:17, 23 August 2009 mark webb wrote:

Great but why is female nudity permitted but the male nude last week was told by the police to cover up?
At 20:35, 23 August 2009 Aidan wrote:

In an era when the human body is relentlessly sexualised, commercialised and commodified, you have issued a wonderful reminder of the inherent beauty and dignity of the female form and you did so on your own terms. In its simplicity and importance, your performance was inspired, inspiring and prophetic: thank you, Susanna.
At 20:08, 23 August 2009 R_Tlover wrote:

A very elegant disrobement.
At 16:56, 23 August 2009 Emily wrote:

Brilliant, bold and inspiring. Well done.
At 11:58, 23 August 2009 Rod Marshall wrote:

"I'm not an exhibitionist but if this is about me, then a naked me is the most honest, pure, unaffected me there is, and, after a few years of depression, anxiety and very low self-esteem I am delighted to have gained a huge amount of belief in me - and that's something to celebrate."

Thus spoke Susanna, and how wonderfully well she made it happen. Simply beautiful.
At 14:56, 22 August 2009 Stevie wrote:

You looked serene and lovely. Nobody could possibly take offence. I am so jealous!
At 11:37, 22 August 2009 Toby Messer wrote:

Hi there, I passed by in my shift break. Thought you looked great and very dignified. And being a life model myself who occasionally gets nervous in front of a dozen or so strangers, I take my hat off to you going in front of three hundred or so. Nice one.
At 07:30, 22 August 2009 andrew_T wrote:

you looked dignified and true - this is what the plinth should be about. well done.
At 01:42, 22 August 2009 Anthony wrote:

Brava.

@braincoffee
At 00:07, 22 August 2009 Nick Haslam wrote:

Congratulations Susanna, dignified, proud and very relaxed. I hope you enjoyed it as much as the many onlookers did. Congratulations to you! Empowering!
At 23:31, 21 August 2009 les wrote:

fantastic loved every minute, you looked wonderful
At 22:12, 21 August 2009 Dave wrote:

The expressions of people coming into the square and spotting you on the plinth were absolutely priceless. Hope you had fun.
At 22:06, 21 August 2009 Hilary Stock wrote:

You looked SO beautiful and empowered and wonderful on the plinth tonight - enough to make all 40 something women proud! Congratulations.
At 21:47, 21 August 2009 Sarah wrote:

I've seen quite a few plinthers over the last 2 days and I have to say, you were elegant and beautiful up there, and far more endearing and real than some of the arrogant t*$ts that have been up there. Now I have read your 'about me' section I admire you even more.

Good on ya! I hope you enjoyed it, I was a little cold in my sleeveless shirt so hope you were OK!!

Sarah - Tooting bec
At 21:11, 21 August 2009 Gabriele Frank-Martinez wrote:

Good for you! I admire your courage, that really takes some 'balls'...not literally
At 20:35, 21 August 2009 Brian Marsh wrote:

You are an artist, and an artist's model. You deserve a plinth and a canvas inside the National Gallery. Well done.
At 20:12, 21 August 2009 Sandy N wrote:

Very simple and courageous
At 19:14, 21 August 2009 Abi Foy wrote:

Congratulations, I think you looked beautiful.
At 19:08, 21 August 2009 Christopher Walters wrote:

Is there anyone that you know of recorded your even I am so proud of you, and what you did on the plinth as I missed it nearly, the last few minutes of it, me and my wife are both naturist and like the outdoors, and would love to show the video clip to our local members down here in Wales

Many thanks Chris And Diane
At 19:01, 21 August 2009 jane wrote:

lovely....a nude that is not in stone - add courageous to your list of good things about yourself -
At 18:54, 21 August 2009 Lynda wrote:

Brave lady-and it must be freeeeezing up there.
At 18:54, 21 August 2009 Jane Haslam wrote:

WELL DONE !
At 18:54, 21 August 2009 Haydon the womble wrote:

Well done for being the first naked lady on the plinth.
At 18:50, 21 August 2009 Peter wrote:

Naked,

Dignified,

Beautiful !
At 18:44, 21 August 2009 Alan Thomassen wrote:

You are a brave and elegant lady. Well done!
At 18:44, 21 August 2009 amanda wrote:

Well done you!
At 18:37, 21 August 2009 Stewart C.Bailey wrote:

Wel done you, how very brave especially with the Britsh weather & by the way you have a very cute nose xxx
At 18:36, 21 August 2009 clare wrote:

Thank you and well done
At 18:28, 21 August 2009 Andrea wrote:

So inspiring. It's great to hear that you have come through some tough times, and I admire you're courage, I felt self conscious enough in my clothes!
At 18:24, 21 August 2009 Jessica E. Chapman wrote:

beautiful and honest. what more do you want from living art!!!
At 18:23, 21 August 2009 Elizabeth Nabadda wrote:

You are a very brave lady, well done. I wish I had that confidence!
At 18:17, 21 August 2009 chris wrote:

Well done! this is the first time I had logged on to the plynth, and saw you. I love drawing and spent time in life drawing classes. You should consider with your new found confidence to sit for your local college, and get paid for it as well!! Just sorry I was not there to cheer you on. Congratulations for a Job well done.
At 18:14, 21 August 2009 June wrote:

Susanna, thats the most inspiring thing I've seen.
At 18:13, 21 August 2009 Kpfish wrote:

Not offensive at all looking gorgeous naked.
At 18:12, 21 August 2009 Dorothy wrote:

I'm watching and you don't offend me....rather brave of you.

It takes all kinds...I see the next fella is going to wrap himself in toilet paper!

Have a good life!
At 18:08, 21 August 2009 Peggy and Jeremy wrote:

Bravo! You are lovely and brave!!!! love from Peggy and Jeremy in San Francisco..we tuned in to swing dance with Colin who was before you but so pleased to see your great personal and artistic statement!!!
At 18:07, 21 August 2009 Stephanie wrote:

Brava, Susanna, for your belief in yourself. You look calm and serene on the plinth. Not an exhibitionist, but an exhibit of your personal growth. Again, brava.