Brisbane Powerhouse is excited to reveal that New York contemporary artist, Spencer Tunick’s 2023 Brisbane-based work, TIDE, is a prequel for much bigger things to come!
Tunick will return to Brisbane in 2024 for a significantly larger installation, as part of the inaugural Melt Open – the city’s major new festival celebrating queer art and culture.
The art installation for Melt Open will take place across Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on Sunday 27 October 2024. The bridge will be closed for this mammoth project which will feature thousands of live nude figures in celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion and Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
The huge undertaking is the second instalment of Spencer Tunick’s current Brisbane series, the prelude of which takes place this Saturday 18 November with several photographs to be captured along the Brisbane River as part of MELT Festival 2023, now in its eighth edition. This weekend’s installation will see around 150 participants pose nude along the river’s waterline.
Spencer Tunick has been documenting the live nude figure in public with photography and video since 1992, boldly using bare bodies en masse to create landscapes that flow, contort and meld together. Tunick has organised over 100 installations using dozens, hundreds or thousands of participants, his camera recording these captivating art events.
“This challenging work on the Story Bridge marks the second in my two-part series in Brisbane scheduled one year apart, in 2023 then 2024,” said Tunick. “It is the first time I have ever worked on installations with the same institution for an extended two year project. This will allow me to deeply explore the city, its light, environment and its people.”
“The series will hopefully speak to diverse groups of people, and everyone navigating their way through the difficult challenges of our current world. It is a privilege to be making art that centers around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Tunick’s series is one of the many events to look forward to as part of the new Melt Open festival. “We’re proud to support homegrown Brisbane events like this that celebrate our diverse community and culture, while championing the city’s world-class creative industry,” said Cr Schrinner.
“Melt Open is an incredible addition to the city’s jampacked major events calendar, that will not only attract thousands of visitors to Brisbane but showcase and support our thriving cultural scene.”
The Story Bridge installation is part of the inaugural Melt Open, set to premier in Brisbane throughout October / November 2024. Born out of the success of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival, which is currently celebrating its seventh year, Melt Open is an open access festival similar to fringe events around the world.
The event boasts an expanded lineup of artists and cultural events taking place at venues throughout central Brisbane with the aim to foster inclusivity, provoke thought and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
“This major Tunick installation featuring thousands of nude bodies on the landmark Story Bridge is a visual expression of the diversity and inclusion that Brisbane’s new LGBTQIA+ festival, Melt Open, aims to deliver across the city,” said Melt Open Executive Producer Pieta Farrell.
Tunick now invites you to be part of this extraordinary opportunity! There are no limitations on the number of participants as the project aims to showcase and shine the unique spirit of Brisbane. Be a part of this homage to diverse bodies and an inclusive future by registering your interest at: www.brisbanepowerhouse.org
Melt Open is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Melt Open features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. For more information, visit: www.brisbanepowerhouse.org for details.
Image: Spencer Tunick – photo by Jay Cull