Oddverse.com

At the peak of her career, Madonna told strangers they were beautiful

Something happened to me this evening. I don't know what it was.

Let me set the scene - I'm at an art gallery here in Edinburgh, and Mr Twinky is powdering his nose. I'm looking at a handbag on the floor and a man touches me on the shoulder. I turn.

"Excuse me," he says. "I just wanted to tell you that you're beautiful."

That was pretty much it. I said "Thank you", he said "you're welcome" and we parted and never spoke of it again.

He was wandering around the room, clearly not looking at the art, but he had an air about him, an air of belonging. I reckon there's one of two things that have happened.

He fancied me, and thought he had a chance if he told me.

Or, it was a random act of Art. An intangible performance piece - a piece which I'm continuing by writing this. Clearly it had an impact on me, and made me think - which is key to my personal definition of art.

I found myself watching out for him as I looked at the other art - to see if he was doing it to other people. Part of me wanted him to be an artist. I wanted to be certain of that. Part of me wanted him not to be - because I certainly found his comment flattering, if confusing. I don't know. Maybe I wasn't meant to know.

I did find out later, though. I was very happy with what I found out.

Beholder is at the Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh from today.