Hundreds of volunteers stripped naked, painted themselves dark green, and posed for renowned American photographer Spencer Tunick in a spectacular art installation called "Portrait Alhambra 1925" in an olive grove on the outskirts of Granada, southern Spain. This marked the first installation by the famous photographer in the Andalusia region, creating another memorable addition to his worldwide collection of mass nude photography projects.

According to Spanish news agency Europa Press, Tunick discovered the olive grove location during a scouting trip in Granada for his new installation. The photographer was captivated by the beautiful mountains filled with olive trees that stood in perfect rows, resembling a marching band or orchestra formation. He said the orderly arrangement of the trees reminded him of people standing together, which inspired him to choose this particular location for his artistic vision.

The American artist, known for his unconventional approach, deliberately avoids hiring professional models for his large-scale projects. Tunick explained that his work involves a mutual exchange rather than a commercial transaction, noting that he would need to be as wealthy as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos or Tesla CEO Elon Musk to afford paying so many professional models. He also pointed out that professional models tend to over-pose, whereas he prefers very simple, natural poses that better serve his artistic concept.

The name "Portrait Alhambra 1925" derives from the 100th anniversary celebration of the Alhambra beer brand, which itself is named after the world-famous Moorish fortress and palace complex in Granada. This connection to local heritage adds another layer of meaning to the artistic project, linking contemporary art with the region's rich cultural history.

Tunick, born in 1967, has created spectacular mass nude scenes around the globe throughout his career. Some of his most notable previous works include a 2012 installation in Munich, Germany, featuring approximately 1,700 participants, and an even more ambitious project in Mexico City in 2007 that involved around 20,000 people. He has also photographed similar mass scenes in other regions of Spain, making this Andalusian project part of his ongoing exploration of the Spanish landscape and culture through his unique artistic lens.