Hull prepares to strip off for Hull 2017
Thousands of people will take part in Spencer Tunick's latest mass nude art exhibition early tomorrow.
Thousands of people are gearing up to strip naked and be painted blue for Hull 2017!
American photographer Spencer Tunick - who goes round the world capturing group nude shots - is bringing his latest exhibition to the city centre's streets early tomorrow morning.
Some of the city's greatest landmarks will be used as the backdrop for his Sea of Hull installation, which has been commissioned by the Ferens Art Gallery and will go on display there during 2017 City of Culture.
Spencer says having been inspired by Hull's maritime history, he decided people should cover themselves in blue body paint for the installation to reflect the colour and movement of the rising seas.
Spencer told Viking:
“The installation not only highlights the now paved waterways of Hull making a connection with its maritime past, but will also reference the rising waters across the earth due to climate change.
“Flooding the streets of Hull with blue humanity heightens awareness of our close connections to the natural environment, survival and habitation in the coming hundred years.”
Councillor Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure and Chair of Hull Culture & Leisure, said:
"We are delighted by the tremendous public response to participation in Spencer Tunick’s installation. It promises to be a fantastic event and to make history in terms of capturing the city during this first stage of its public realm transformation.
“The commission has been fully supported by Hull City Council’s Corporate Trustees making use of the Ferens Endowment Fund which is a unique resource to Hull’s Ferens Gallery. The gallery fund has resourced art acquisitions as diverse as the 14th century Lorenzetti alongside major contemporary commissions such as this.
“In each case our aim is to place both the gallery and city on the national and international map in 2017 and beyond."
Participants will be invited to the exhibition launch in April 2017 where they will receive a limited edition photograph of the installation.