Spencer Tunick paints LGBTQ+ identity spectrum with 500 naked bodies in Spain

Artist Spencer Tunick transformed the historic heart of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria into a vibrant canvas on Sunday, orchestrating a human sculpture of approximately 500 naked bodies painted in the colors of the rainbow. The installation, titled 'Gran Spectrum,' aimed to capture the "great spectrum of LGBTQ+ identity" and offer support to the community.

Under the early morning sky, Tunick guided volunteers who had gathered since 5:00 AM to paint themselves from head to toe in shades of black, brown, turquoise, pink, white, red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers and applause as participants, with their arms held close to their bodies, began assembling in the Plaza de Santa Ana at 7:47 AM. They formed monochromatic lines, spaced according to Tunick's instructions, creating a living flag.

Once the rainbow flag formation was complete, Tunick instructed his collaborators to face him, turning their backs to the Santa Ana Cathedral. From this vantage point, the photographer began his artistic endeavor. He expressed his intention to pay homage to the LGBTQ+ community, stating, "They need all the support in the future." Exhausted but pleased after the creation, Tunick told reporters, "Wherever bodies are accepted, naked, in unison, and not separated, is a step forward toward the future. I feel very fortunate that all the participants seem to have enjoyed it. Everyone is taking selfies with each other with their different colors, it's a lot of fun."

The artist then asked the volunteers to face the cathedral. However, access to the church was still blocked by barriers as Tunick planned to continue his work in private at other nearby locations, including the Plaza del Pilar Nuevo and the steps in front of the Casa de Colón. The dean and the bishop of the Canary Islands requested that organizers and local police facilitate a passage for churchgoers attending mass. As the service began and Tunick completed his private photography, the participants, now dressed, began to disperse.

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Wherever bodies are accepted, naked, in unison, and not separated, is a step forward toward the future. I feel very fortunate that all the participants seem to have enjoyed it. Everyone is taking selfies with each other with their different colors, it's a lot of fun.