Escaping the Real World

Could You Do It? March 28, 2009

The Kenny Gallery building on Main Street/ Middle Street, Galway, is possibly one of the most loved landmarks of the West, and was home to, possibly, the countrys most famous bookstore. Unfortunately, for economic reasons, the gallery shut down earlier this year and was moved out to the Tuam Road to where the bookstores online warehouse is. I worked in the gallery on High Street last year for six months, and the building is amazing, a large tourist attraction with features that date back to the middle ages in the basement.

So when I heard that i102-104, the west/northwests newest radio station, was setting up a home for people in the windows of this central, famous building, I was intrigued.

I could not be exact about when I first heard about this new competition. Already I had been impressed with i102-104′s competition last year, which caused slight mania in the west/northwest. It was basically a race, to find the “thief”. This thief was just some average guy, wandering around a street in a town. During the day, clues would be given as to where this thief was located, and I’m sure hundreds of clueless strangers in Galway, Roscommon, Ballinasloe, Sligo etc., had people running up to them, shouting the winning phrase”Are you the i102-104 thief??” The prize? Amounts of cash that changed daily, with figures in their thousands. Here’s a report from The Leitrim Observer

So the Indecent Proposal? Basically, people were given the question of would you and your other half be willing to live in a shop window for a week, with no shower, no privacy, no contact with friends or family (except through the glass), no mobiles, etc etc. In order to be selected, you would have to earn your place by completing a number of tasks around Galway city. These tasks included being giving a list of items to somehow obtain, with no money. These items included the usual – Vibrators, condoms etc. I wasn’t listening from when these tasks were done, but I’d love to know how they got around the shop owners… “If you don’t give me the vibrator, my Gran will go blind!” Don’t think so…

On Friday just gone, the final two couples to be in the window were to be selected on Eyre Square. This was to follow a moment where everybody in Eyre Square was to strip to the under garments. (I swear, since the crypto contamination in 2007, Galway is cracked!) I was, as it happened, on my way to Galway at this point, only 30mins from all these almost naked people. The traffic was bad so we got to see no flesh. Most upsetting. We were listening intently as the names were being announced as to who would be entering the Indecent Proposal rooms. There were four finalising couples, each wanting a go at winning the 30,000Euro worth of prizes. A sudden twist happened – all four couples were selected! The Kenny Gallery looks out on High Street and also Middle Street. Two rooms had been set up for the couples, two couples in each room. The judges of the competition couldn’t decide on who to chose. So they didn’t! Big Brother style, two couples will be evicted on this coming Monday. As they made their way down the street the couples were accompanied by over a thousand observers. Shortly after the doors were locked behind them, another twist was given – the couples were being mixed.

I feel this will be a very trying weekend on the relationships!

Today they went their first public indecent proposal in the windows. The guys had to pose as the figure of David whilst the girls modelled their image in clay. You can look here i102-104 Indecent Proposal to see them live in the windows. There’s no sound, but there are regular updates of what they get up to.

I know I couldn’t do it. Could you?