5,500 nude participants grace Brisbane’s Story Bridge in Spencer Tunick’s largest Australian installation yet
Today, Brisbane/Magandjin experienced a breathtaking transformation of its iconic Story Bridge as 5,500 nude participants came together for RISING TIDE, a monumental live nude installation created by New York artist Spencer Tunick. Part of the Melt Festival 2024, this event celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Through Tunick’s lens, thousands of bodies flowed together in a stunning display of unity and artistic expression.
RISING TIDE marks the 30th anniversary of Spencer Tunick’s international career in documenting the nude figure in public spaces. With this installation, Tunick not only celebrates the beauty of the human form but also honours Brisbane/Magandjin’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community. Participants of all ages, body types and genders braved the spring morning for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The installation created a seamless landscape of bodies that spanned the Story Bridge before moving to The Brisbane Riverwalk, showcasing the raw beauty and strength of diversity. To facilitate this extraordinary artwork, the bridge was closed to traffic from 1am to 7am. Over several hours, Tunick captured the live landscape from multiple vantage points, immortalising this unique expression of unity and inclusivity.
Reflecting on the event, Tunick said, “This work on Brisbane’s Story Bridge and locations around it has been my most inclusive installation to date. 5,500 people is my largest Australian work so far and this one is very special because it celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Photographing all the participants on the bridge was like looking down the mouth of a whale, filled with love and diversity.”
Among the thousands who participated, stories of personal empowerment emerged. One participant shared, “I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I’ve gone through illnesses, and you just get to a point where so many people have seen your bits over the years that you just go why not? It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Another shared, “It’s really nice to see so many different body types – shapes, sizes and age groups. I came alone so it’s pretty fun to see that so many other people have braved it as well.”
“It’s a sense of unity that you don’t often get. It’s just an incredible opportunity for people to come together, to celebrate each other and to celebrate art,” a third participant said about Melt Festival, which is taking over Brisbane/Magandjin from 23 October to 10 November 2024.
RISING TIDE is part of a broader body of work that began with the intimate TIDE installation in 2023, where Tunick first engaged with the Brisbane/Magandjin community to explore themes of diversity, beauty and vulnerability. TIDE served as a prelude, laying the groundwork for this larger, major public event. Now until November 10 2024, this work is being showcased at the Brisbane Powerhouse as a projected video exhibition, marking Tunick’s debut gallery exhibition in Australia and the first time this work will be available for public viewing.
RISING TIDE has been hailed as a transformative art event, demonstrating the power of art to foster community and inspire social change. The final artwork will remain a lasting tribute to Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion.
Each participant will receive a print of the final artwork, captured by Tunick, as a gift of appreciation from Brisbane Powerhouse and Melt.
TIDE EXHIBITION by SPENCER TUNICK
Saturday 28 September to Sunday 10 November 2024
9am – 5pm (extended hours during Night Feast)
The TIDE Exhibition and RISING TIDE installation by Spencer Tunick are feature events of Brisbane’s Melt Festival, a fearless annual celebration of queer art, artists, allies and ideas.
