LONDON,UK, Spencer Tunick shoot shot

[dai_hunter]

Received from a correspondent of mine today. Nice to know it happens

to the big boys too:

 

15 Oct 2004 1400gmt

 

Spencer Tunick did a small 'installation' this morning in east London.

As usual, it took place at sunrise (in this case 7.30 am). He had

planned to do set ups, each with four models, and their position was

in the middle of the road, their backs to the morning traffic. He

started well enough (he had timed the photograph with traffic lights

so as to avoid actually holding up any cars and buses). Until disaster

struck.

 

I was standing immediately behind Tunick in the road and became aware

that a police car had stopped on my left. The window wound down, the

PC asked me who was 'in charge'. It was clear they were not happy what

was going on. They drove the car slowly towards the models,

effectively forcing them off the road. Tunick, who has experience of

this situation before, in France and the US if not the UK, immediately

asked us to grab the camera off him and remove the film. I took it

and passed to a woman who stuck it into her enormous bag.

 

By this time, the two policemen had got out of their car and were

questioning Tunick. Did he have a licence? they asked. A licence for

what? Tunick asked back. A licence to take photographs in public, the

police said. The police's attitude was ridiculously aggressive and

they were obviously not going to let us continue. After he agreed to

stop the shoot there and then, the police drove off without cautioning

anyone.

 

Tunick remained perfectly calm and polite throughout and said to us

that he wouldn't risk continuing the shoot since the police would be

sure to come back - and he didn't want to be in a police cell and miss

his opening at the Hales Gallery.

 

-----ends------

[barefoot]

Perhaps the reason for the Old Bill being miffed is that they'd heard Tunick was in down and were hoping to see some pert boobies etc but when they got there the models were fully clothed.

[dai_hunter]

If Tunick was being a right git and out playing in the morning traffic, as described, he probably deserved it.

[chris_waller]

You don't need a licence to take photographs in a public place in Britain - at least not yet,

but give Blair's Gestapo time and they'll try to dream something up. Since the powers that

be seem to regard photography as so dangerous perhaps we should take up some other

pastime like letting off bombs in public places.