Spencer Tunick's Nude Protest Against Facebook's Nipple Censorship

On June 2, 2019, photographer Spencer Tunick led 125 nude protesters in a performance at Astor Place, Manhattan, outside Facebook's New York offices. The action protested the social network's censorship of female nipples, which Tunick views as a restriction on artistic expression. Participants covered their genitals with photographs of male nipples donated by artist Andres Serrano, actor Adam Goldberg, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and Tunick himself. Tunick called the event a 'dressed photograph' and urged Facebook to adopt YouTube's verification process for artists. The protest aligns with the #wethenipple movement, which opposes social media's nudity policies. Tunick has a history of political performances, including a 2016 protest against Donald Trump in Cleveland. Facebook's algorithms have previously censored artworks like Courbet's 'L'Origine du monde' and the Venus of Willendorf.