Lorraine Williamson
Granada’s rolling olive groves became a living canvas as nearly 2,000 volunteers shed their clothes and fears for American photographer Spencer Tunick. At dawn they stood shoulder to shoulder, their bodies painted in a specially mixed shade of olive green, to create Retrato Alhambra 1925—a striking fusion of art, heritage and human collectivity.
The one-off installation marked the centenary of Cervezas Alhambra, the beer brand whose name is synonymous with the city. Tunick, long fascinated by Granada, seized the anniversary to stage his first large-scale Andalucian work. Moreover, he turned a quiet rural landscape into a monumental celebration of life and community.
From a bus ride to a masterpiece
Tunick’s idea germinated years earlier during a bus journey from Madrid to Granada. A power cut forced him to look closely at the endless rows of olive trees stretching across the Andalucian plain. Their geometric order reminded him of a Mondrian painting and planted the seed for an artwork that would merge people with landscape. The colour choice was equally deliberate: a green drawn from the Alhambra’s gardens and the olive tree’s cultural symbolism of peace, endurance and renewal.
Dialogue with the Alhambra’s past
By cloaking his models in a single shade, Tunick echoed the Alhambra’s historic palette while stripping the human form of individuality. The Unesco-listed fortress, built by the Nasrid dynasty and layered with Islamic, Christian and Jewish influences, provided a spiritual backdrop. The green bodies became living brushstrokes connecting centuries of art and architecture with a contemporary, provocative gesture.
A global gathering in Andalucia
Participants travelled from across Spain and beyond—from Britain to Argentina—to join the sunrise shoot. Working closely with local authorities, the team ensured privacy and safety while remaining within Spain’s liberal laws on artistic nudity. For many, the experience was described as liberating, communal and unexpectedly emotional.
Voices from the participants
Among those who braved the early morning chill was the Andalucian naturist group Nudistas del Sur, who later shared their excitement on X. “Today we took part in Spencer Tunick’s great event in Granada,” they wrote, describing how much they enjoyed being part of the photographer’s living artwork. Some of the group are pictured in the image.
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Tunick’s worldwide legacy
Since the 1990s, Tunick has transformed public spaces from Sydney to Barcelona with mass nude performances. Each project challenges ideas of vulnerability and belonging. Retrato Alhambra 1925 now joins this international portfolio, reinforcing Granada’s status as a crossroads of culture and creativity while giving Cervezas Alhambra a centenary celebration like no other.
More than a marketing stunt, Tunick’s olive-green spectacle stands as a reminder of Granada’s enduring power to inspire radical art. As the images circulate worldwide, the city’s blend of history, landscape and bold creativity takes centre stage once again.
Sources: EuropaPress, Canal Sur