Around 2,500 people gathered on Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, stripped down and posed naked for American photographer Spencer Tunick in an effort to raise awareness of skin cancer.
Tunik, known for taking group photos at some of the world’s most popular landmarks, he used a megaphone to give instructions to the crowdbefore many took the opportunity to take a naked dip in the ocean waters.
“We have a chance to raise public awareness about dermatological examinations and it’s an honor to be here,” Tunick said on this spring morning in Sydney.
The New York-based artist teamed up with a charity for the nude shoot to raise awareness of melanoma, the fourth most common form of cancer in Australia.
The Australian government estimates that this year the total number of diagnoses will rise to 17,756 and that 1,281 Australians will die due to complications of the disease.
“I spent half my life in the sun and had two malignant melanomas removed from my back,” 77-year-old Bruce Fasser told AFP. “So I thought (the shoot) was for a good cause and I love taking my clothes off on Bondi Beach,” she added.
Robin Linder, who took part in the nude photoshoot, admitted to Reuters that she overcame her initial anxiety when she realized the extraordinary atmosphere that prevailed. “Everyone was really respectful and I felt like it was a lot of fun.”
The last time Tunik organized a group photo shoot in Australia was in 2010, when 5,200 Australians posed naked at the Sydney Opera House.
With information from APE-MPE
Tags: Australia people posed naked beach Loud message skin cancer
