WHEN the years have taken their toll on your body, being comfortable in your own skin often becomes easier.
The Naked Self is an installation highlighting a gallery of recordings of people sitting alone and naked in private booth revealing stories and secrets about their bodies.
But as well as listening to recordings of what others have said, you can, if you wish, add to the gallery by undressing in a booth where a voice guides you through a gentle examination of your body.
Co-creator Michele Lee said age was certainly no barrier to participating.
"I guess when you're in your 50s and 60s you can become more relaxed about your body and less self-conscious," she said.
"Younger people do find it confronting.
"The average person doesn't look at themselves naked very often. The Naked Self takes you into a confessional and intimate space."
Michele and co-creator Tania Dickson had worked together before the inception of The Naked Self. They became interested in portraying personal and intimate things using digital technology, albeit simple audio files.
"There are no projections, just audio - it's a digital project but anti-digital too in that it's not techy - you don't need super digital skills to be part of it," Michele said.
"It's a bit like pictureless selfies. People create the content for this and share it.
"It's totally anonymous - you can say what you otherwise might not - but there's also a communal aspect to it. You could do it for 10 minutes or you could take an hour.
"People respond and react in unexpected ways; it's totally unrehearsed."
Participants receive a copy of their audio file, which are used only as part of the installation with the permission of their creators.
- The Naked Self, June 8-17 at Arts House, Queesnberry St, North Melbourne. For audiences 18 and over; entry free. Open 4-8pm Friday and Saturday, noon-4pm Sunday. Details (03) 9322-3720, www.artshouse.com.au