Hundreds of naked bodies are set to create a colorful symbol of diversity and equality at the end of July on Gran Canaria. American artist Spencer Tunick plans a large-scale art action on July 26, 2026, under the title “Gran Spectrum”.
As organizers note, a number of volunteers will depict the colors of various LGTBI flags. The plan calls for a staging with several color groups that together form a single image. The action is part of the Culture & Business Pride 2026 festival, which takes place annually on the Canary Islands.
Installation as a “Powerful Act of Visibility”
Spencer Tunick is internationally renowned for his photographs of large groups of naked people. For more than 30 years, he has carried out his projects in cities around the world. Among his best-known works is an installation with around 18,000 participants in Mexico City. He says he has worked in more than 100 cities in total.
With the Gran Canaria project, the artist also aims to send a political message: “Through bodies, color, and public space, ‘Gran Spectrum’ becomes a collective image of visibility, diversity, and shared presence—a visual statement for equality, recognition, and fundamental rights,” reads the project’s website. “In a time when LGBTQIA+ rights remain at the center of global debate, this work turns participation into presence and presence into a powerful act of visibility.”
As a tolerant island that has drawn queer people from all over Europe for decades, Gran Canaria was chosen deliberately for the installation. The Spanish island is not only the setting but an active part of the message: “The work conveys an image that aligns with a society built on inclusion and equality, thereby strengthening its global position.”
All Participants Will Receive a Photo
Participation in the government-approved art action is free of charge and open to all people 18 years and older. No prior experience is required; even non-queer people are welcome. Registrations are possible at granspectrum.com. The shoots are planned to begin early in the morning. The exact details regarding location and procedure will be communicated to participants only shortly before the event for organizational reasons. After the action, participants will receive a limited-edition photo as a keepsake.
The actual shoot usually lasts only a few minutes, while preparation and setup can take several hours. The aim is to create a total image in which individual people do not stand out, but become part of a shared artistic statement.
