The Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have commissioned Spencer Tunick to photograph 2000 people on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. Fifteen hundred people have already registered online to get their gear off but they are expecting some last-minute dropouts for the photo shoot on 1st March, sometimes volunteers have second thoughts.
He started photographing nudes on the streets of New York in 1992. I think you'll agree with me that the figures are not remotely sexual, he sees them as a living sculpture and calls his works "flesh architecture".
But he ran into trouble, Mayor of New York Giuliani hated him and threatened to cut off funding to the Brooklyn Art Gallery who staged his controversial work.
The Mayor was so upset about the public nudity, he sent the police in whenever Tunick tried to stage a shoot. He was arrested five times on flimsy charges which were all later dismissed.
In 1999 he'd had enough, he sued New York City. He won in the Federal Court but after an appeal it went to the Supreme Court who also ruled in his favour. But the Mayor wouldn't give up and continued to refuse permits for a shoot anywhere in New York.
But by then cities from around the world pleaded with him to come to their country and he's now toured the world many times. The 1st March is the first day of autumn, I hope it won't be too cold for everyone doing the full Monty for art.
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