Hundreds of Naked Volunteers Pose For Pink Lilo Photo

Hundreds of naked people overcame their modesty for the chance to pose for the sometimes controversial artist Spencer Tunick.

The photographer has become famous for draping naked bodies in unlikely places including in front of the United Nations and on glaciers.

In his latest project he asked 500 nude participants to pose by the Sagamore Hotel by the popular South Beach in Miami.

Models prepare for a nude photo

"Obviously, it's about the party, about having excess in leisure and about having escapism and fantasy," Tunick said of the tropical party scene known for its lavish bashes and exotic night life.

The 40-year-old artist directed models from a bullhorn, reminding them to remove jewellery and glasses and relax their shoulders.

"Guys, put your legs together a little bit more. Don't smile. Don't smile," he said.

Models create a champagne fountain with 500 bottles of champagne

In one photo he used neon pink and green rafts and about 500 bottles of champagne, which he directed models to simultaneously shake and explode like a human fountain over the balconies.

The participants said posing was more sweaty than sexy, more empowering than erotic. Many said they did not bother to put on makeup or shave their legs.

Bianca Moura, 37, said the shoot was "a release from custom and convention."

Another model, Ms Schwartz, said she did it "for art, for history" and came away with "a little more peace in accepting who I am and accepting the different shapes and looks here."

The models were chosen at random after submitting their photographs (with clothes) to Tunick's website. Hundreds of models are always on standby, waiting to participate in one of his projects.

Models pose on bright pink lilos

Tunick, who is shy and adheres to mostly black dress, prefers to be called an artist, not a photographer and refers to his work as installations.

He loves the landscape of the human body and playing with props to add "a bit of whimsy" he said.

In Belgium, he draped 80 women in dark liquid chocolate and 77 men in white liquid chocolate. He hopes to experiment with condiments and golf balls in future shoots.

Models posed on four levels of a South Beach hotel in Miami

Tunick said he has always loved the organic form of the human body, especially on the canvas of public spaces.

"Nudity is not controversial in museums," he said. "Where the body becomes controversial in the U.S. is in public spaces."

Artist Spencer Tunic picks participants through this website

Early in his career, Tunick was arrested repeatedly and battled former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the right to photograph nudes on the street - a case he eventually won.

The South Beach photos will be displayed in the Sagamore Hotel's contemporary art collection.