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 Last night I had the pleasure to model for Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School. If you're not familiar with this, it's quite a phenomenon now. There are currently Dr. Sketchy's in over 100 cities around the world!
The first Dr. Sketchy was started in 2005 by an art-school drop out at a dive-bar in Brooklyn. Here is how its creator describes it:
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art school is the world's premier alt.drawing movement. Artists draw glamorous underground performers in an atmosphere of boozy conviviality.
I guess that means that I'm a "glamorous underground performer!"
Dr. Sketchy's Anti Art School is what happens when a simple question is asked: Why can't figure drawing be sexy? The models for Dr. Sketchy Vancouver are primarily burlesque performers. Part art class and part cabaret, it's three hours of drinking, drawing, and decadence.
Dandy of the Underworld
Shary Contrary of Dr. Sketchy Vancouver wanted to do a tribute to Sebastian Horsley for her next event, and when she thought about which man in Vancouver might be able to pull it off, she thought of me. I am not much like Horsley, but I certainly do have the wardrobe!
Horsley was an eccentric artist and a self-professed dandy. "Clothes are not clothes. You're wearing your thoughts, your attitudes to life." He never travelled without his top hat. He once said, either "you conceal who you are and you hope to be accepted, or you reveal who you are and you risk rejection. I'm in the second category."
He describes Dandyism as "a form of self-worship which dispenses with the need to find happiness from others, especially women." ....
Horsley and Controversy
His art and writing was highly controversial. His book, "Dandy in the Underworld," describes in great detail his life in a dysfunctional family, his drug addictions, sex, and his reliance on prostitutes. He is probably most famous for having undergone a voluntary crucifixion as an "art project."
When he tried to travel to the U.S. to promote his book, he was hoping to be asked "do you have anything to declare?" With a nod to Oscar Wilde he planned to reply "only my genitals and my genius." But he didn't get that far through customs. He was turned away for reasons of moral turpitude. "Which is odd" Horsley said, "because I've never drank turpentine in my life."
"We can't all be stars because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as I go by."
-- Sebastian Horsley, Dandy in the Underworld
Modelling
While I modelled, Shari played interviews of Horsley and music from artists associated with him. I enjoyed hearing this quote, which got many giggles from the artists in the crowd: "I even got thrown out of art school. Now believe me, it's very difficult to get thrown out of art school."
Before modelling I was a little concerned I wouldn't be able to stay still for 10-15 minutes, as is required for some of the poses. But I found it actually quite easy and enjoyable. The trick is to choose comfortable positions for the long poses, and just stare at something.
If you're an artist, or just want to give sketching a try, I highly recommend you go to the next Dr. Sketchy event.
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