Iggy Pop Posed Naked for New York Art Class

Artists at a life drawing class at the New York Academy of Art were greeted by a naked Iggy Pop February 21st as the rocker was recruited by the Brooklyn Museum to serve as the class’ nude model. Twenty-one artists, aged 19 to 80, participated in the “Iggy Pop Life Class” project, with the resulting portraits of the 68-year-old Pop set to debut at the Brooklyn Museum this fall before going on tour. Conceptual artist Jeremy Deller was the driving force behind the project.

“The life class is a special place in which to scrutinize the human form,” Deller said of the project (via Pitchfork). “As the bedrock of art education and art history, it is still the best way to understand the body. For me it makes perfect sense for Iggy Pop to be the subject of a life class; his body is central to an understanding of rock music and its place within American culture. His body has witnessed much and should be documented.”

The art class wrapped up a busy New York visit for Pop as he also performed at the annual all-star Tibet House Benefit Concert, where he performed David Bowie’s “The Jean Genie.” Pop and Josh Homme will release their surprise collaborative LP Post Pop Depression on March 18th; so far, the pair have unveiled the album cuts “Gardenia,” “Break Into Your Heart” and “Sunday.”

Pop and Homme then embark on a six-week-long trek in support of their new LP on March 28th at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre.