Internationally renowned artist Spencer Tunick and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras united 5,200 Australians from the straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities in the nude installation called, 'Mardi Gras: The Base' by Spencer Tunick. "The base, the core, the heart of any truly free society depends on its acceptance of its diverse community as equal citizens. Sydney celebrated its diversity on Saturday night at the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade and today it once again showed that it is a city where everyone is truly equal and united. Gay men and women lay naked next to their straight neighbours and this delivered a very strong message to the world that Australians embrace a free and equal society," said Tunick. Danielle Harvey, Festival Executive Producer said, "The installations at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and Concert Hall, Botanical Gardens and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair truly captured the diverse city that is Sydney today". Pictured: Spencer Tunick 'Mardi Gras; The Base' Installation Ref: SPL161393 010310 Picture by: TitoMedia.com.au / Splash News