5,200 strip for nude photo shoot in Sydney

‘It doesn’t feel sexual, it just feels tribal,’ says one participant

Video: O nudo mio! Naked at the opera

Closed captioning of: O nudo mio! Naked at the opera

>> york stock exchange , thank you.

>>> and more than 5,000 people got down to the bare essentials at the sydney opera house today in australia. that's why we're showing you the wide shot. they posed for more than an hour in the buff for a photo shoot by photographer spencer tunic , known for his nude photos. no close-ups, you'll notice.

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updated 3/1/2010 7:52:38 AM ET

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SYDNEY — About 5,200 naked people have embraced each other on the steps of the iconic Sydney Opera House for a photo shoot by photographer Spencer Tunick.

Participants in Monday's event by Tunick, who is known for his nude group photos in public spaces, posed for more than an hour in a variety of positions.

"It was difficult to get the straight people to embrace the gay participants and vice versa," Tunick said. "So I was very happy that that last set up finally got done and everyone came together, united, friendly kiss, a loving kiss in front of this great structure."

Nineteen-year-old student Art Rush said he was thrilled to participate.

"I'll never get a chance to do this again, it's not worth being inhibited," Rush said. "It doesn't feel sexual, it just feels tribal, a gathering of humanity."