We have shown that Arad is beautiful from without and from within, a democratic, liberal and pluralistic city with different communities and cultures. ”Īrad Mayor Nisan Ben Hamo added: “We are proud to host an artist of such standing as Spencer Tunick. As Israel opens it skies to vaccinated tourists, we look forward to welcoming them once again to the unique landscapes of the Dead Sea region, one of Israel’s leading tourist destinations. Millions of people from around the world see the beauty and the tourism potential of Arad and the Dead Sea.

Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov commented: “Every image published by the artist represents a tourism boost for Israel. My visit to Israel was an experience for me and I am always happy to return here and photograph in the only country in the Middle East that allows art such as this.” Spencer Tunick said: “It is difficult to hide the fact that the Dead Sea is disappearing and the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum is our way to create awareness of this fact. Arad boasts 1,500 guestrooms in dozens of zimmers (bed and breakfast), hotels and hostels, many hiking and biking routes, with international tourist attractions in the area, such as Masada, the Dead Sea and Tel Arad. The installation is designed to draw world attention to the importance of preserving and restoring the Dead Sea, as well as the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum to be built in Arad, under the initiative and leadership of Ari Fruchter who recruited Tunick for the promotional campaign.Īrad was selected to host Tunick because of its proximity to the Dead Sea and its tourist potential. The event took about three hours, during which the artist positioned the volunteer models and the camera, according to the background and the light etc. Today, Arad joins this illustrious list, hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism.Ībout 200 people who agreed to participate in the installation arrived in Arad in the early afternoon and disrobed somewhere in the desert landscape surrounding Arad. Tunick has created installations in, among others, New York, London, Vienna, Barcelona and Sydney.

Participants in the project say that this project is expected to be one of the most daring and controversial ever undertaken by the artist. In cooperation with the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the Arad Municipality, the Dead Sea Revival Project, Spencer Tunick has returned to the Dead Sea region after two earlier installations that won international acclaim and helped raise awareness of Israel as a tourism destination. As part of the artwork, the artist used a white body paint that had never before been used. “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.The photographic installation is designed to support the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum in Arad. “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. The danger of sinkholes is illustrated in the installation, with the men and women shown with their lower bodies underground. The spot has since been destroyed by sinkholes. 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. Tunick announced the project on Monday, two days after taking the photograph. JERUSALEM ( JTA) - International photographic artist Spencer Tunick photographed 15 nude Israeli men and women at the Dead Sea to raise awareness of its deterioration.

Dead sea naked models