1,500 shed clothes in Caracas for photographer

More than 1,500 people went nude in downtown Caracas on Sunday, posing around a statue of South American hero Simon Bolivar for photographer Spencer Tunick.

Tunick has been photographing nude human mosaics in public places all over the world since 1992 including New York City, London, Vienna, Sao Paulo and Montreal.

I worked very, very hard and the people were extremely, extremely, extremely exuberant,'' Tunick said after the shoot, which took place in the Venezuelan capital between 4:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. local time.

Tunick sent out a call for people to pose nude along Avenida Bolivar, a popular spot for political rallies in support of leftist President Hugo Chavez who frequently refers to Bolivar in his speeches.

I chose a location to me that was beauty and chaos combined organized chaos," the New York photographer said before the event.

Tunick said 7,800 people signed up for the Caracas shoot, but added that he never knows exactly how many will show up on an appointed date. He once travelled to Chile for another public posing, where he expected 800 participants and got more than 4,000.

"It's a new experience," said participant Jerry Lino, 30, adding that it went beyond shedding one's inhibitions along with the clothes. "This also involves art. One never feels naked.''

Tunick shouted commands over a megaphone as nude people of every age, shape and size gathered on the avenue and the stairs in front of the statue, rearranging themselves in positions set by Tunick.

Other photographers, reporters and some spectators watched the artist in action. Nude participants frequently yelled out jokes and hooted in support of the artist.

For me, its all about the body as a substance, as an organic substance, said the artist.

Tunick has been arrested several times in the United States while working on his art, but said he felt welcomed in the South American country.

I'd probably be arrested for doing this and charged with a crime in half of the United States, so I'm honoured to be here in Caracas and not be arrested."