Tag: Spencer Tunick

Story Bridge to Host Mass Nude Art Event, Echoing Bondi Beach Installation

Photo Credit: Instagram / @spencertunick

As a follow-up to his famous Bondi Beach nude photograph, American artist Spencer Tunick is set to create another large-scale mass nude art event — this time on Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on October 27, 2024.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / MagpieShooter

Read: Crabbe Hole Cafe in Bondi Beach Closes, 17-Year Run Ends Over $10 Entry Fee Controversy

The STRIP OFF FOR SKIN CANCER installation at Bondi Beach, November 26, 2022.
Photo Credit: Instagram / @skincheckchampions

The announcement comes less than two years after Tunick’s headline-grabbing dawn shoot at Bondi Beach, where 2,500 brave souls shed their clothes in the chilly morning air. The Bondi event, which took place in November 2022, saw participants from all walks of life come together to create a living artwork on one of Australia’s most famous beaches.

Photo Credit: Instagram / @spencertunick

Tunick’s upcoming Brisbane installation, titled “RISING TIDE,” aims to celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and Brisbane’s LGBTQIA+ community. The event is expected to draw parallels with the Bondi Beach shoot, which also highlighted themes of body positivity and environmental awareness.

register to participate

Participants in the Brisbane event can expect a similar experience to those who took part in the Bondi installation. Early rising will be essential, as Tunick is known for his pre-dawn shoots to capture the perfect light. The artist’s rapid working style, which he describes as feeling like “there are police behind me trying to arrest me,” ensures that participants aren’t left exposed for long periods.

While the Bondi Beach installation faced initial resistance from local authorities, it ultimately went ahead with overwhelming public support. The Brisbane event appears to have secured full cooperation from local officials, with the Story Bridge set to be closed to traffic for the duration of the shoot.

Read: Bondi Beach Bowl Craze Hits New York as Thisbowl

In addition to the live installation, Tunick will be showcasing his first Australian projected video exhibition from his TIDE series at the Brisbane Powerhouse. This exhibition, running from September 28 to November 10, will offer those who missed the Bondi Beach event a chance to see Tunick’s work in a different medium.

Published 17-September-2024

Thousands ‘Strip Off’ On Bondi Beach For Skin Cancer Awareness

Photo credit: Screen capture from video by Spencer Tunick on Facebook

Bondi Beach turned into a nude beach for a day after thousands gathered for “Strip Off for Skin Cancer,” a one-of-a-kind photo shoot held to raise awareness about the condition, which can be life-threatening if not treated early. Queensland is one of Australia’s hotspots for skin cancer.

Read: Flave: New Restaurant With Plant-Based Menu By Celebrity Chef

The project was a collaboration between photographer Spencer Tunick and Skin Check Champions, a charity that helps communities who are most at risk of skin cancer by connecting them with their local GP, skin clinic, or dermatologist, or bringing specialists to the people through their free, educational pop-up skin check clinics.

Bondi Beach
Photo credit: https://sofsc.com.au/

“Strip Off for Skin Cancer” aims to challenge Australia by raising funds and awareness for its national skin check program. The idea is to flood social media with skin, encouraging people to donate to the charity’s program.

Everyone who would like to sign up may create their profile or start a team. Then, share it with as many of your mates as possible to get them on board as sponsors or ambassadors. The more Aussies sign up, the more people the charity will be able to save from skin cancer.

“We challenge you to do something brave and get your kit off for the cause (sun-safely and legally of course). Posting photos or videos doing whatever it is you love doing (in your undies / swimmers) to get people’s attention,” Skin Check Champions said.

Bondi Beach
Photo credit: https://sofsc.com.au/

Meanwhile, this kind of project isn’t new for Tunick, who is best known for organising large-scale nude shoots in various landmarks around the world. In 2010, 5,500 people gathered at the famous Opera House in Sydney for his shoot.

Bondi Beach Skin Cancer Awareness
Photo Credit: Facebook/Spencer Tunick

However, this was the first time in history that a nude shoot involving thousands of individuals took place in Bondi Beach. Tunick felt honoured to have this kind of opportunity, which allowed him to raise awareness in partnership with Skin Check Champions, whilst making his art.

The photo shoot coincided with the celebration of National Skin Cancer Action Week (Nov 21-27), which aims to create nationwide ‘skinspiration’ to help elevate the issue of skin cancer into the public consciousness.

One of the participants felt nervous about joining the photoshoot, but because everyone was respectful, despite the nature of the shoot, it ended up a fun and memorable experience for everyone. 

Read: Bondi Beach Landmark Noah’s Backpackers Goes on the Market

To learn more about Skin Check Champions and their initiative, visit their website.