Aussie supermarket relents to allow mass nude photo on car park
American photographer had been blocked by Woolworths, but shop now says he can go ahead with the shoot
A US artist known for his large-scale nude photo shoots said he is relieved that Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has changed its mind and will now let him use one of its rooftop car parks for his next project.
Spencer Tunick is travelling to Australia in July where he will take part in Melbourne’s Provocare Festival of the Arts. He had been commissioned by the festival to do a piece within the precinct of Chapel Street, a main street known for upmarket fashion shops and restaurants.
Tunick’s plan to photograph about 350 naked people on the rooftop car park of Woolworths in Prahran was temporarily blocked after the supermarket declined him access.
“I tried for three full days to scour the Chapel Street district and I couldn’t find any place large enough to fit so many people, and all of the trolley (tram) wires meant there was no other place safe enough to use,” he said on Sunday. “I’m very happy and lucky that Woolworths is now allowing me to go ahead with this art event for the people of Melbourne, because there was no plan B.”
He said the supermarket came around to the idea after a less busy day of the week was proposed.
