I know what he's trying to get at, as in the juxtaposition of the vulnerability of human beings against the environment.. However, given his approach which does seem to border on milking pop culture for what all it's worth, especially on the basis of a very broad, definitely unoriginal artistic purpose/statement, I'm not surprised how there are those who feel that this project was overly tautologous.
Given Tunick did mention that 'a hundred other photographers could have taken a better shot' (technically), I think he deserves some credit for making that distinction. Also, I think credit is due for actually following through his vision and getting his team to organise the shoots (Melbourne hit 4000 nude models.. on a cold wet day..). However, I was quite annoyed at how he was annoyed when some people in France refused to talk to him while he was trying to proposition them to become models. He pestered them for a while (probably empowered by having the videocamera behind him filming the incident), before giving a spiel about people being rude (when he was clearly invading their private space). Similarly, some people in Melbourne voiced their distaste at his endeavours (not the war vet/wife type, but more the cool uni latte activist types), one of whom called him something like an egotistical megalomaniac trying to break into the art world (yet posed anyway! Go figure..) Another highlight of the show was a manic Christian preacher who threatened to spoil the 4000 ppl Melbourne shoot with placards and 'Kneel down before God!' proclamations, to which one of the naked people yelled out 'God put us here naked!'. lol! The irony.. Anyway, it's not stuff that is close to me or anything that touches me deeply, but hey, if that were anyone on the list who sent in a self-orchestrated shot of 4000 naked people lying next to each other for a PUG contribution, I'd say it was pretty good work. Cheers, Ryan ----- Original Message ----- From: "frank theriault" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 11:15 PM Subject: Re: Pentax Sighting! > I saw some TV special about the guy, and yes, definitely uses a 67 or 6x7. > > I gotta say, I don't get it. Or, to put it another way, I just don't > see his artistic vision. Some people must see it, though, 'cause he > seems to sell lots of books, and Lord knows he's on the tube often > enough... > > cheers, > frank
