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 Editorials | Issues | April 2007 
Picture this if You Dare: More than 7,000 Nude Folks in a Photo
 Dane Schiller - San Antonio Express-News
 | | The National Autonomy University of Mexico (UNAM) was one of the first institutions that believed in his project and has launched a website for people who are interested in signing up to participate in the project - click HERE. |
Mexico City — To get naked or not get naked?
That is the question people here are asking as they ponder the arrival of Spencer Tunick, the New York photographer famous for persuading crowds to strip and strike a pose.
Although Tunick isn't aiming to set a record for nudity with his May 6 shoot, there's hope in this city — among the world's most populated metropolitan areas — that volunteers will surpass the 7,000 people who posed for him in Barcelona four years ago.
Mexico City, more liberal than much of the country, is a place where outrageous behavior is tolerated, if not endorsed.
"If I am feeling crazy, maybe I will do it," Lilian López, 18, said as she took a break from rollerblading across the expansive campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM. "I think I'd be embarrassed."
With that fear factor in mind, some who plan to get naked are hitting the gym and watching their diet.
"I'm going with my flab and all," laughed bookkeeper Leonarda Hernández, 45, who said she's trying to limit herself to juice and vegetables in order to lose 10 pounds.
"It is about art, but I want to liberate myself," she said. "I want to be seen."
Tunick's rules require participants to wear absolutely nothing — not even eyeglasses, watches or jewelry — but Hernández said she still can primp. Perfume, moisturizing lotion and hair-removal wax are in her arsenal.
In keeping with Tunick's practice, the location of the shoot won't be announced until about 24 hours before it's to take place. Volunteers, who must pre-register on the Internet at spencertunick.com, will be notified via e-mail.
In the meantime, speculation about where it will take place ranges from the heart of the UNAM campus to the storied pyramids of Teotihuacán, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Mexico City.
The timing is expected to be not long after sunrise, when natural light is considered ideal for photography.
Mireya Escalante, who represents Tunick in Mexico, said a temporary security fence will be erected, so participants won't have to worry about their clothing or valuables being stolen during the shoot.
Only people who are working on the production or registered to pose will be allowed entry, said Escalante, who noted there is no official goal for a record turnout.
Eréndira Caballero, 17, who works as a waitress, threw up her arms and let out a hoot at the thought of participating.
"Cool," said Caballero, who sports dreadlocks. "You have got to do new things, extreme things. And I'm going nude in the street."
Participants are encouraged to bring only the lightest of clothing and will be compensated with a small print of Tunick's work.
His larger prints are destined for galleries in New York and London, where they go for from about $3,500 to $75,000.
He has photographed hundreds and sometimes thousands of people standing along city streets, lying in the fetal position, sprawling in riverboats and climbing escalators.
"This is a work of art, not a protest or a rally," said Escalante, who noted Mexico has a tradition of poor rural workers coming to the city at least once a year to march nude or in their underwear to demand changes.
Mexico City psychologist Geraldine Calvo, who concedes she never has been nude in public, said no matter how the photo shoot is portrayed, it's about people having fun taking off their clothes.
"Exhibitionism. It is an opportunity to show and be seen," she said. "They are going to enjoy it."
And Escalante herself has no plans to strip.
"I will be working hard," she said with a laugh, "and totally dressed."
For more photos from photographer Spencer Tunick click HERE
dschiller@express-news.net |
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