Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival is proud to present TIDE – a projected video exhibition from Spencer Tunick’s TIDE series created in 2023, will go on display at the Brisbane Powerhouse from Saturday 28 September to Sunday 10 November 2024.
2024 marks the artist’s 30 anniversary of documenting the live nude figure in public with photography and video, boldly using bare bodies en masse to create landscapes that flow, contort and meld together.
Tunick has organised over 100 installations around the globe using dozens, hundreds or thousands of participants, his camera recording these captivating art events.
“Creating TIDE was a very special experience, and I hope the exhibition will speak to diverse groups of people. It is a privilege to be making art that centres around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance.” said Tunick.
Tunick invited 100+ participants from the Brisbane/Magandjin community to take part in TIDE 2023, with the aim of producing an installation that celebrates diverse bodies and represents a more accepting and equal future.
Tunick’s striking and surreal photographic artworks of this intimate installation are showcased in the TIDE single channel video exhibition which includes footage and stories that capture the empowering and poignant experiences of those who participated. This will be the first time this work will be released for public view.
“My body has worn many years of factory jobs. I love the oneness of spirit Spencer brings out among diverse people with disparate beauty in public.” – TIDE 2023 Participant.
The TIDE Exhibition is the perfect prelude to RISING TIDE – a monumental second installation that Tunick is creating for Melt Festival 2024, which will take place across Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on Sunday 27 October 2024. Register to participate at: www.melt.org.au
The bridge will be temporarily closed for this major art event which will feature thousands of live nude figures in celebration of diversity, equity, inclusion and Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Each selected participant will receive a print of the final artwork, taken by Spencer, as a gift of appreciation from Brisbane Powerhouse and Melt.
“Many of the participants at TIDE expressed the joy and positive power of acceptance they felt from taking part in the installation,” said Brisbane Powerhouse Program Manager and TIDE and RISING TIDE Curator, Emmie Paranthoiene.
“We hope that thousands more people will have the same experience when Spencer creates RISING TIDE on the Story Bridge on Sunday 27 October.”
The Melt Festival will run from 23 October – 10 November 2024. For more information and full program, visit: www.melt.org.au for details.
Image: Spencer Tunick – photo by Jay Cull