![100 Women Pose Nude in Art Installation [NSFW]](https://cdn.fstoppers.com/styles/large-16-9/s3/lead/2016/07/spencer-tunick-nude-republican_png.webp)
"Everything She Says Means Everything" is the name of Spencer Tunick’s latest art installation. 100 women gathered together in protest and for art in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention.
1,800 women signed up to take part; however, only 100 could actually get involved due to space restrictions. On Sunday, July 17th, packed into the private space and given mirrors, each woman reflected the sun back into the convention center where key Republican politicians would see them. This was the perfect balance between protecting the project in a private area and also getting public attention.
Press Image Credits: Lindsey Byrnes
Press Image Credits: Lindsey Byrnes
The finished piece wasn’t about a single photo from Spencer. It was about the moment and what it represented, a fleeting art installation: women stepping out of their comfort zone, empowering each other, and loving themselves for it. One participant said in her statement:
I am a wife, mother, and medical professional who is passionate about showing women the love and support they are entitled to. In this country, I am watching my fellow humans lose hope and self love on a daily basis.
The purpose? To shine a light on reproductive health and stop repressive discourse within politics. The project aimed to connect Spencer’s incredible art style with a motivated and ongoing political movement. However, in this case, it was more specific than a feminist protest: it was a direct approach to politicians, especially in the wake of recent changes in the GOP.
Republicans, Democrats, and all other political parties were welcome to take part reflecting their anger through art against the hateful, repressive rhetoric of many in the Republican Party towards women and minorities.
Whether you agree that it was effective or not arguably shouldn’t matter. "Everything She Says Means Everything" is a well-meaning art installation that brought women together and is a testament to creative art in Cleveland. For more statements from the participants and to see the other documented images, please visit the project's website.
Images used with permission of Lindsey Byrnes. Video by Joshua Louis Simon.
I don't see the point of this. Republicans aren't about to stop being ignorant because of something like this. This is nothing more than a feather in Tunick's cap.
Of course in America, freedom of expression is almost without limit and in the art world. I am not that good of a photographer, but those shots from my perception, lack clarity, purpose, and most of all a "good photo". So ok Fstoppers you have a right to publish what you want, but you dropped the ball on this one. Very poor taste and not even original. Do better next time
um, it is relevant to current events as related to photography. whether it is "good" or not and meets your artistic standards is besides the point more than making a social political statement. how better could they have covered it? it is in the news, and it is photography related.
and who is to say what is in poor taste? are you suddenly the "poor taste police"? my stop with your comment, why not just make your own website where you report on only the things you think matter? at least it's not another article telling us the benefits of working for free.
Yes Pete, I need a lot of help when it comes to write properly, thank you for your help. Thanks for your feedback. Poor taste is my personal view. So wonderful to express my views and see opposite views. Thank you so much
Thank you Chris for your comments, I appreciate your views
While I can see the perceived value in the photos, the "vocal" impact politically is mute. It's a headline grabber move and that's it. So in essence, this used women to get a political message to republicans, seems odd. When women always fight to not be used for their bodies, yet here they all are.
I went to college for a major in painting and drawing. It seemed like it didn't matter what the students skills were as long as they could verbally justify what they had made, that was good enough to get them an "A". I never understood this. I always liked art that conveyed it's meaning to the viewer without description or justification. I don't find this "Installment" artful, interesting, serving a purpose or cause or even newsworthy. Sorry, not sorry.
Ah, i get it. Since women and their intelligence isn't pertinent, just get them all naked, because a nude woman's body is that's the only way you'll get people's attention. (Good thing this isn't all of naked men, because that would just be plain vulgar, indeed.)
But back to the main topic- yes, i can see how a photo of 100 naked women in a lot will stop repressive discourse within politics. And help enlighten people about reproductive health. Yep, i can definitely see how this was a great idea.
P.S. editors of FS- quality over quantity. Thanks!
Spencer Tunick is definitely worth studying in order to understand how people make value judgments about photography.
My initial thought is that he represents the triumph of process over product. In other words, the photograph doesn't matter as much as "how" the photograph was made. If you'll notice, this type of reverse valuation happens all of the time in the photography community. Photographers will rarely show their work without additional information about how it was created (BTS gear, BTS video, BTS blog diary etc). In this way, many of us are like little Spencer Tunicks.
Another thing to consider is that the general public easily mistakes moralizing for art. Work that has some kind of sentimental-conservative or liberal-do-gooder message attached to it can gain immediate credence. The trick works because few people will want to oppose the message and their hesitation also prevents them from criticizing the work itself.
The most popular criticism that Tunick gets is usually that he's a showman trying to make headlines. Ironically, this just adds attention to the process and works in his favor. In the end, few people care what the final pictures look like anyway.
Just some thoughts