Author: JM
Date: 03-09-10 01:03
From the Canadian National Post:
Guelph-Humber student Scott Pilgrim gained instant notoriety last week after streaking across the busy intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets, capturing the whole thing on film. Accompanied by a photographer friend, Mr. Pilgrim walked boldly to the corner of Dundas Square, dropped his boxers, and ran gleefully across the pedestrian scramble crossing. His photography teacher will grade the result. Mr. Pilgrim, a 21-year-old photography major, spoke to the Post's Megan O'Toole.
Q What spurred this project idea? Pilgrim I usually try to have somewhat of a humour aspect to my work. For me, it was like yeah, this speaks volumes about you as a person. It's a different way to look at self-portraiture. I didn't want to just hand in a white wall photo, just some basically plain old self-portrait. I kind of had to one-up everybody.
Q What was going through your head as you stood on one of the city's busiest corners in your boxers? Pilgrim It was pretty scary actually, but at the same time it was almost a little relaxing. It was weird because I'd stressed about it so much, and we had really held out until the last minute to do it, in terms of when I could possibly get it printed and when I had to work. I think it was like, this is going to be over quick. You're nervous, but this is going to be good. And also, don't get arrested. And don't fall, which I almost did.
Q How was the temperature that day?
Pilgrim I think it was two degrees, so it wasn't too bad, but I think by the time that I came around here it didn't really matter what the weather was; it was just like, you need to get this done.
Q What kind of reactions did you get as you ran nude across the street?
Pilgrim There were a couple of yelps, and a bunch of clapping, and some people pointed and laughed. Nobody chased me down or anything, so I'm happy about that. Q How did you feel as you made the run?
Pilgrim To keep running, I thought about that a lot. I didn't feel cold; I was like wow, you're alive, this is amazing. You're actually doing it. It was pretty exciting--it was a good feeling. It's like, holy crap, you're naked, man.
Q What happened when you reached the other side of the road?
Pilgrim I just kind of slowed down to a light jog and I'm just standing there for probably two seconds. I didn't shuffle to get the jacket on really quick and run away. You're just like, wow, I'm already naked, literally what else could happen?
Q Would you do it again? Pilgrim This wasn't really about streaking. It wasn't about hooliganism. It was all about making that image.
Q How did your teacher receive this project; did you get a good grade? Pilgrim I haven't been graded yet on it. Not to sound cocky, I know that I'm going to get a good mark. It's tough, because the photo was all over the Internet, so it didn't have as much strength. Everybody in my class had seen it except my teacher. Most of the people in my school had already seen it. I think [my teacher] likes it ... I think at the same time she's kind of proud.
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