New York City -
Nearly 100 people with HIV stripped down Saturday and draped their bodies over tables and counters in a New York bistro.
The display was all in the name of art for photographer Spencer Tunick. Tunick is famous for taking pictures of masses of nudes in various public spots around the world. He once locked horns with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for the right to photograph a crowd of naked people in Times Square.
Saturday's shoot featured man and women all positive, some looking healthy, others gaunt. The New York-based Tunick, 37, said the photo "brings up art issues and social issues," and seeks to make the viewer think about the vulnerability and resilience of people who are HIV positive.
One of the subjects was Shawn Decker, a 28-year-old from Charlottesville, Virginia who contracted HIV at age 11 from a blood product he used as a hemophiliac.
Decker, who was expelled from school in sixth grade because of his HIV status, said the setting was "like a camaraderie because everyone has dealt with the same fears about mortality."
The photo shoot was a commission for POZ magazine which is marking its tenth anniversary.
POZ Magazine editor-in-chief Walter Armstrong said he hoped photographs from the event would "send a message to everyone who is afraid of HIV to let them know that they are just like everyone else."
©365Gay.com® 2004
The display was all in the name of art for photographer Spencer Tunick. Tunick is famous for taking pictures of masses of nudes in various public spots around the world. He once locked horns with former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani for the right to photograph a crowd of naked people in Times Square.
Saturday's shoot featured man and women all positive, some looking healthy, others gaunt. The New York-based Tunick, 37, said the photo "brings up art issues and social issues," and seeks to make the viewer think about the vulnerability and resilience of people who are HIV positive.
One of the subjects was Shawn Decker, a 28-year-old from Charlottesville, Virginia who contracted HIV at age 11 from a blood product he used as a hemophiliac.
Decker, who was expelled from school in sixth grade because of his HIV status, said the setting was "like a camaraderie because everyone has dealt with the same fears about mortality."
The photo shoot was a commission for POZ magazine which is marking its tenth anniversary.
POZ Magazine editor-in-chief Walter Armstrong said he hoped photographs from the event would "send a message to everyone who is afraid of HIV to let them know that they are just like everyone else."
©365Gay.com® 2004
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
