Naked States (Spencer Tunick)

A few days ago I watched, for the second time, Naked States. It’s a documentary about photographer Spencer Tunick and his Naked States tour.

In 1997 Spencer toured the U.S. states, taking pictures of people (generally not “models”, just “normal” people) posing nude in public. Some were individuals or small groups, some were large groups of people.

The documentary came out in 2000.

He’s been arrested several times, in several locations. In the film his lawyer says that none of his arrests were the result of a complaint, but rather they all resulted from a policeman who happened by while the photographs were being taken.

The Naked States tour was instrumental in bringing Spencer’s work to the public, at least, certainly in the art world. Perhaps the documentary has brought him to a wider general public’s attention. Since doing this tour he’s gone on to do a Naked World tour, and other national tours and large “installations” at various locations.

I believe on this tour, he broke the then-record for the largest (most people) in a nude photo with 1,000+ people. His current record is around 18,000 people. (Wow. And by that, I mean “Wow” not “World of Warcraft”.)

On Spencer’s website you can view some of his work, find out about upcoming projects, and even “sign up” to participate in future installations.

Some quotes from the film:

In the documentary, one of his models says about the shoot, “As soon as I had my clothes off—I think it was actually getting them off and getting them back on that was more uncomfortable for me, than actually being nude outside.”

(I can completely relate to that. When I take pictures outside, behind my apartment, I’m just not that nervous while I’m naked, taking pictures. It’s a little before and mostly after that I feel nervous.)

Another of his models, says, “Being naked is just a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it to everyone. They should all run out of their houses immediately, and be naked. You don’t have to have people watching you, just go out at night sometime and walk around in the yard and see how good it feels.”

(Yes, I agree. It totally does feel great. Do it. You know you’re curious.)

In the documentary, Dan Speers, President of the Tri-State Metro Naturists group (based in New Jersey), says “For someone to tell me, especially a government authority, that I have to wear clothes—they’re telling me to be ashamed of myself. Government is mandating that people shame themselves.”

(YEAH! If I ever get arrested, I’m gonna have to remember that. Actually, in that case, it would be really helpful if I could get some of my pictures hung up somewhere—a gallery or coffee shop, even. Also, I’m still interested in taking pictures of other people. Anyone?)