Spencer Tunick creates giant human rainbow flag in Las Palmas

On Sunday morning in the historic Vegueta district of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, photographer Spencer Tunick directed about 400‑500 volunteers to form a massive human rainbow flag called “Gran Spectrum.” Participants arrived before sunrise, applied body paint in eleven colors and arranged themselves in front of the Cathedral of Santa Ana, creating a living flag that stretched across the plaza.

The installation was part of the Culture & Business Pride 2026 festival organized by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria and the Gobierno de Canarias. Tunick supervised the composition from the rooftop of the municipal building, directing volunteers with a megaphone to achieve precise patterns. The artwork was intended to highlight diversity and promote visibility for the LGTBIQA+ community.

Tunick chose the historic square over the protected dunes of Maspalomas, citing his philosophy of photographing public spaces rather than natural reserves. The event follows a series of similar large‑scale interventions he has carried out in cities such as New York, Barcelona, London and Sydney, gathering thousands of participants worldwide.