Watching Desmond Morris

When a writer approaching his 92nd birthday can garner an audience to his latest book-signing aged from early teens to 60s and beyond, he has to be special, writes Brian Byrne.

That was the case at last night's event in Woodbine Books where Desmond Morris was guest of honour, with his latest book Postures, Body Language in Art as the literary feature.

Already the author of some 70 books, the best known including The Naked Ape, The Human Zoo, and Manwatching, he shows that he is absolutely engaged with his readers. Turning the observational lens on the writer himself, it was fascinating to see the level of interest he showed with each person who came up to have a book signed. This is a man who doesn't measure the time he has left and ration it accordingly.

The author was introduced by Suzanne McDougall, founder of the Solomon Gallery in Dublin, who recalled an exhibition of his work which she had shown. In addition to being an eminent zoologist, television programme maker, and renowned sociobiologist, Morris is also a highly regarded surrealist painter.

Speaking last night he said he started work on 'Postures' because 'I wanted to work out why Napoleon in paintings always had his hand inside his coat'. "And the answer is ... in the book," he added to laughter.

He told the story about a recent conversation with his friend, colleague and sometime rival David Attenborough, where they mused on why they are both still alive, and still working.

"Why are we still here?" Morris asked him.

"I don't know," Attenborough replied.

"Well, did you ever do any exercise?" "No."

"Did you ever go to a gymnasium?" "No."

"Did you ever go on a diet?" "No"

"Did you ever eat any health food?" "No."

"So why are we still here?"

"Because," Attenborough said eventually, "we are fascinated by this planet that we live on. And we are both so fascinated by it that we keep asking questions, and we never stop looking for new answers. And if you have a fascination for this small planet ... it will keep you going."

That fascination still drives Desmond Morris. He told me that when he got back home to Athgarvan last night, he would stay working at his computer until 1am or later.

Still looking for new answers. A lesson for everyone who was in Woodbine last night.

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