'Nude photographer' Spencer Tunick returns to Israel

• Published date: 12 October 2021
• Author: HANNAH BROWN
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Tunick, who is well-known for his photographs featuring large groups of nude people, has worked in Israel twice before, both times in the Dead Sea area, and is happy to be back again. "I just enjoy the multi-diverse culture in the country, I'm just honored to be here for the third time, to make art for myself that hopefully brings attention to the city [of Arad] and the museum and to work with the kind and generous participants who are going to pose this weekend."

He was joined at the event by Ari Leon Fruchter, the founder of the Dead Sea Museum, Nisan Ben-Hamo, the mayor of Arad and the architects who are designing the museum, Sharon Neuman and Iftah Hayner.

Asked if he had been criticized for his decision to work in Israel, Tunick said, "I have many many different people from all different walks of life participating in my work... The only place in the Middle East right now where I can do my art is in Israel. If I was invited by a museum or institution in Egypt to do a work in front of the Pyramids, I would take that opportunity without even thinking about it. But invitations are few and far between, if not none, to work in the Middle East except in Israel."

Ben Hamo said that he wanted the museum to be a gateway from the Negev to the Dead Sea and to draw tourists back to Arad.

Asked about opposition from religiously observant Arad residents to having Tunick work there because of the nudity, Ben-Hamo said that, "We live in a democracy where everyone can have their opinions. Arad is a liberal, pluralistic city... By the way, as mayor, I see the diverse communities as an advantage because you learn how to respect and you learn how to live together... Yes, we had some pushback and I had to explain what exactly the purpose is. First and foremost, it's art, it's a great artist, it's Spencer Tunick. It's a great honor that he chose Arad for...