Breaking Nudes: English town will go naked for US photographer Spencer Tunick
The people of Hull will drop their pants and inhibitions to take part in an art project launched by US photographer Spencer Tunick. The mass nude photo shoot comes as the northern English town assumes the mantle of UK City of Culture 2017.
The shoot will take place in July, mercifully in time for warmer weather.
Tunick is famous for his artworks featuring mass nudity. The “Sea of Hull” project will see participants painted in shades of blue and green and positioned to create abstract shapes on the pavement.
Based in New York, Tunick has created installations at landmarks worldwide, including the Sydney Opera House, the Place des Arts in Montreal and the Ernest Happel Stadium in Vienna.
“I’m very interested in the history of the city and its place as a seafaring center and its relationship to a rich maritime past,” Tunick said.
“It intrigues me that in some places where there are major streets or parks today, previously there was water. To reflect this I'll be using body paint so that the massed people create the idea of a sea of humanity flooding the urban landscape.”
He added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in art who wants to pose nude but is modest. The body paint will help many participants to overcome their inhibitions – after all, they will still be covered in a way.”
Kirsten Simister, curator at Hull’s Ferens Art Gallery, said the project offers an opportunity to include residents in an important cultural project.
“This is more than a commission. It’s an opportunity to involve people directly in an amazing live, performance that will temporarily transform the city.”
“His new body of work will form part of an exhibition in 2017 and will also be purchased for the permanent collection. With hundreds upon hundreds of people coming together to be photographed, Sea Of Hull anticipates the exciting things to come at the Ferens next year.”
