Since Eve first took a bite from the apple, nudity in art has become a recurring theme. What is our fascination? Is it the beauty of the human form, or merely titillation? Almost every artist has at some point put pencil to paper, chisel to stone, or a finger to the button. All in search, perhaps, for the perfect nude. This project began with a muse; my friend Tara Stiles, a dancer, model, and now a yoga guru, who agreed to work with me on a series of nudes; we called them “play dates”- just the two of us, a camera, some lights, and a bottle of scotch. Eventually, it occurred to me that it might be interesting, both visually and psychologically, to photograph all my friends naked.
Some were more easily persuaded than others of course, but they generally
succumbed to my persistent English charm. Trust is obviously a prime factor, as is feeling comfortable, so I built a small studio in my apartment, dyeing canvas drop sheets for the backgrounds. For variety, I sometimes took pictures in their
apartments, or at a friend’s house in the Hamptons. I think that being naked in
front of others can be very liberating, after the initial embarrassment has worn off.
The day after a shoot in the Hamptons my friend Callaghan suggested that we
all play Tennis ‘au naturale’: Very Bohemian.
Some of my friends have said that they feel a lot closer to me now that I have
seen them naked. Others have even brought their friends over to enjoy the
experience. My friend Leah jokingly said,
“ Michael, it’s taken three years, but you finally have me naked in your
apartment.” Her friend, who she had invited over for moral support, then stood up, took
off her dress, and said,

“Yes, Michael, but with me, it only took thirty minutes.”

So here they are, my friends naked.

I wonder what Freud would say?

Ten years in the making, and containing nudes shot over a 20 year period.