JERUSALEM (JTA) — International photographic artist Spencer Tunick photographed 15 nude Israeli men and women at the Dead Sea to raise awareness of its deterioration.
Tunick announced the project on Monday, two days after taking the photograph.
He returned with the models to the same place on the shores of the Dead Sea, called Mineral Beach, where he created a photo installation with 1,000 nude Israelis in 2011. The spot has since been destroyed by sinkholes. The danger of sinkholes is illustrated in the installation, with the men and women shown with their lower bodies underground.
“Since 1991, I have traveled the world making immersive art with people of all races, religions, and nationalities; but Israel is a unique place that I hold close to my heart and is the only country in the Middle East where I can be allowed to have proper freedom of expression,” Tunick said in a statement. “I care deeply about the future of the Dead Sea and hope that my presence and involvement here can propel the Israeli government and local activists to take real measurable action to save the Dead Sea.
“I’ve been on the ground and as you can all see, this is a disaster. I call the Israeli government – wake up! I am not sure if we will have this same opportunity again.”
His last prominent art installation was “100 Naked Women” at the Republican National Convention in July protesting Donald Trump.
