The Naked World of Spencer Tunick
Hello, Well I am not in “Naked World”, or in “Naked States” but maybe in the next one…? There is an old, very hard to find documentary on Spencer called “Naked Pavement” 1998 by Joshua Tunick (no relation) which was done in his early career. “Naked States” was next, by Arlene Donnelly, the same who did “Naked World”. Arlene is a friend of Spencer’s and while there is no critical voice in the movies, the movies are more to document what those of us who pose for Spencer feel and to show Spencer at work. Spencer is a visually oriented person, not verbal and when working is highly pressured by the changing light, the fact that we are naked and cold, etc. So he comes across as more abrupt than he really is. Is he an artist with artistic temperament. Oh yes! But as more and more museums have his work, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Albright-Knox I would say it’s art. Will it last? I don’t know. Wouldn’t you like to have a documentary of past artists at work?
It was 2 in the morning and I couldn’t sleep even though I had to wake up in 7 hours. So I put on something called “Naked World” – which my DirecTV described as “An artist asks people to pose nude in the streets.” Obviously, I was intrigued.What I saw was NOT porn at all. Unless you consider 73 year old men standing naked in a field a good turn-on. And then, you have issues.However, this was actually really good. This artist went around 7 continents (yeah, Antarctica also) and took pictures of random, common people (some good looking, some old, some the anti-supermodel) standing naked, in non-sexual poses.It wasn’t all nudity. It showed culture, reactions, and how everyone is diverse, yet we are all the same. Yeah it kinda had a message. Granted, the 400 people naked in the last scene was a little weird.If you have time, check it out.7/10.
Naked World is a documentary about a documentarian, Spencer Tunick, who sets up crowds of naked men and women, and photographs them (most often) lying on the cold, wet, rocky ground in well-know locations.His images are almost anti-erotic, and sometimes clumsy looking. They appear mostly to be noteworthy moments during an event, which is focused on public nudity.I love nudity, however, the real highlights of this movie were the interviews of those who were photographed.In particular, I was moved by the HIV+ lady who consoled a sobbing gal who had found being photographed to be a healing experience. I also greatly appreciated the Africa poet, as well as others who addressed racism.Demian, Sweet Corn Productions



















