Naked, ‘Bloody’ People Laying in New Paltz Road Explained

There's always something new and exciting going on in the Hudson Valley, but a recent weekend in New Paltz, NY took that expression to the limit when residents noticed a swath of naked bodies covering a local road.

While it might be easy to chalk the scene up to "New Paltz being New Paltz", the truth behind the organized event has a much deeper history.

Who's Organizing the Masses of Naked People Across the Globe?

The mind behind the mysterious sight has been organizing similar events across the globe for more than two decades. From an Australian bridge to the Republican National Convention, one man has helped organize impactful nude expressions.

Explaining the Naked People on Springtown Road in New Paltz, NY

To cut to the chase, the naked bodies recently spotted (no pun intended) in New Paltz, NY were volunteers answering a call from Spencer Tunick, an artist and photographer who uses images of the human body in a specific and different way:

These group masses, which do not underscore sexuality, often become abstractions that challenge or reconfigure one's views of nudity and privacy. The work also refers to the complex issue of presenting art in permanent or temporary public spaces

Artist Spencer Tunick Brings His Artwork to the Hudson Valley

As his bio explains, not only is Tunick's work reliant on large groups, but the impermanence of the gatherings as well. It should come as no surprise, then, that the recent gathering was part of an art program focused on "durational performance works and ephemeral installations".

Glasshouse Project's A Permit, To Permit

The program was presented by Glasshouse Project. Founded in 2007, the Hudson Valley-based organization focuses on live art and other non-permanent presentations. Their recent weekend, titled A Permit, To Permit, presented works from multiple artists in addition to Spencer Tunick, and even poked fun at the local community's reaction (below).

In addition to coverage of Tunick's temporary installation, Glasshouse Project also included a screenshot from a local community Facebook group. "Why are there over 60+ NAKED people covered in fake blood on Springtown Road today?", read the comment, complete with a smiley face.