Spencer Tunick and Vienna's Kunsthalle Gather 1,840 People to Pose Nude

Monday, 12 May 2008 22:30

Vienna, Austria - Spencer Tunick, famous for large-scale nude projects, gathered 1,840 participants yesterday at the Ernst Happel stadium short of the symbolic 2008 he had wanted. The photo shoot was organized by Vienna's Kunsthalle museum as part of a cultural programme running alongside Euro 2008. Tunick told the crowd that they were not allowed to wear sunglasses, underwear or smile for the shoot.

Called Artwork with 1,000 Balls, Tunick had about 3,000 people signed up for the task on Sunday at Vienna's Ernst-Happel stadium. Typically, not everyone shows up.  In return for their voluntary participation all participants will receive a limited edition photograph of the installation. They also received a free return train ticket (coach) within Austria.

This very special ephemeral installation that we invited you to be part of is devised to capture and combine the spirit of sports, the grand sweeping waves of stadium architecture and the abstract relation of the human form to modern structures. We are encouraged people from neighboring countries and cities to come to Vienna and be part of this memorable artwork.

"Stay very still. Don't move," the Austria Press Agency quoted Tunick as telling the crowd as he went to work. People will only be nude for a short period of time. The installation will happen Rain or Shine (the stadium's seats are covered), said Tunick.

Spencer Tunick is recognized world-wide for his elaborately posed still and video images of multiple nude figures in public settings. His temporary site-specific installations have taken place around the globe in cities including Montreal, Melbourne, Lyon, Santiago, New York, Mexico City and Barcelona to name a few. Tunick gathers volunteers to take part which in the past have totaled anywhere from 100 - 18,000 participants. His work combines sculpture, performance and land art that consistently features skillfully posed nudes juxtaposed in urban and natural environments.

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