Spencer Tunick

Artistphotographer Spencer Tunick has been documenting the live nude figure in public with photography since 1992 Since 1994 he has organized over 100 temporary siterelated installations that encompass dozens hundreds or thousands of volunteers and his photographs are records of these events In his early group works the individuals en masse without their clothing grouped together metamorphose into a new shape The bodies extend into and upon the landscape like a substance These group masses which do not underscore sexuality often become abstractions that challenge or reconfigure ones views of nudity and privacy The work also refers to the complex issue of presenting art in permanent or temporary public spaces Tunick stages scenes in which the battle of nature against culture is played out against various backdrops from civic center to desert sandstorm In 2002 he started to work with standing positions for his group formations referencing traditional group portraiture Now for some installations he adds objects that the participants are often holding or wearing and has included body paint Near the end of installations for the final setups he often organizes the participants into smaller groups to make additional assemblages sometimes by sex sometimes by age or even by hair color However no one is ever excluded from an installation because of the color of their skin ethnicity gender identity sex race religion or political affiliation Within reason if you can make it to an installation you can participate unless of course there are space limitations Spencer could not make his art without the generosity of the participants He is eternally grateful for their participation He wishes he could credit everyone in his individual and group photographs but there are hundreds and thousands who have taken part collectively In exchange for taking part participants receive a limited edition print On occasion Spencer makes installations elevating awareness of cancer HIVAIDS LGBTQIA rights equality and climate change among other issues