New York photographer Spencer Tunick has only photographed naked people in Finland once before, in Helsinki in 2002.
Tunick has been documenting naked people in various urban and natural environments since 1994 in several countries. He has only been to Finland once before. On that occasion, just under two thousand people posed for him at Helsinki’s Kauppatori.
Reached remotely from New York, Tunick said he had enjoyed Helsinki so much and heard about the many lakes in the north of the country that he wanted to see that side of Finland too.
– I hadn’t imagined it until the Kuopio Photography Centre contacted me about the exhibition. When I realised from the map what the geography of the area was like, I was thrilled. I thought I could somehow connect the small islands and their rocky and sandy surroundings to my work,” says Tunick.
– He said he seizes opportunities based on intuition. I was a bit incredulous at first, but then I realized that this will be organized by any means.
“This will not happen again”
Tunick has gained fame all over the world with his pictures. For example, he has taken a stand on climate change by filming in the Dead Sea and the Swiss glacier.
He has visited some places, such as England, several times. The new place excites him more.
– This was a new geographical location that would bring something new to the work. At the same time, I get to know people and local customs.
Tunick will perform the installation in Kuopio on Saturday, July 15, weather permitting. The installation is looking for participants over 18 years old, who will receive a photo print as a souvenir of their experience.
According to Tunicki, more than two hundred people are expected for the installation in Kuopio, some of whom will probably travel there and some of whom will be locals.
Laura White of the VB photo center encourages the people of Savoia to sign up.
– This is a unique opportunity. I could almost promise this won’t happen again. I have a strong belief that the people of Savo will go for this. Here, they don’t take themselves so seriously and they are playful.
Kuopio work to be unveiled at summer exhibition
According to Tunick, the human body interests him the most in art. With the help of human bodies, he can momentarily change natural landscapes or public spaces.
With his works, Tunick wants to draw attention to the duality of the human body. The body can be both vulnerable to the mercy of the environment and strong to control it.
– We humans are able to influence our environment, from social issues to climate change, thanks to our bodies. However, nature often wins because, in the end, nature controls our destiny.
The exact location of Tunicki’s Kuopion installation has not yet been chosen. It will be told to the participants closer to the shooting date of the piece.
On Friday, June 9, Spencer Tunick’s photo exhibition will open at the VB photo center, presenting his previous works from around the world. In connection with the exhibition, Tunicki’s latest work created in Kuopio will also be announced.