Spencer Tunick’s mass nude art too cheeky for supermarket giant

MELBOURNE has been thrust into the midst of a global artistic dispute after a supermarket giant banned controversial photographer Spencer Tunick from staging his next mass-nudity picture on its rooftop in Prahran.

MELBOURNE has been thrust into the midst of a global artistic dispute after a supermarket giant banned controversial photographer Spencer Tunick from staging his next mass-nudity picture on its rooftop in Prahran’s Chapel St precinct.

New York–based Tunick — who is renowned for shooting crowds in the nude at some of the world’s most famous locations — had wanted to use the Woolworths rooftop for his shoot next month, because of the views it offers of the city.

But Woolworths has shuttered the plan for hundreds of locals to strip and be photographed on its roof, saying it has just upgraded the rooftop carpark and did not want to inconvenience its customers.

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Tunick told the Herald Sun: “I have even worked at UNESCO world heritage sites, such as the Great Aletsch Glacier in Switzerland. Working on the Woolworths Prahran rooftop car park provides an amazing opportunity to let the citizens of Melbourne become the art themselves.

“Ultimately the final images will document a historic moment in the timeline of that location,” he said.

Naked men and women posing on the banks of the Yarra River for artist photographer Spencer Tunick in 2001.

Artist Spencer Tunick’s mass nude photo at the Sydney Opera House.

Premier Daniel Andrews said it was a matter for Woolworths if they allowed Tunick to perform his artwork on their roof.

“Apparently 10,000 people have registered for this, I was not one of them,” Mr Andrews said.

“Any rooftop in July in Melbourne is going to be chilly but I’m sure they’ll find an alternative venue.”

In 2001, Tunick shot thousands of nude Melburnians on the banks of the Yarra River. He has also staged mass nude photos at the Sydney Opera House and New York’s Grand Central Station.

The supermarket rejected a proposal from the Chapel St Precinct to stage the photo on its rooftop car park during the Provocare Festival in July.

The three-hour shoot had been planned for early in the morning of Saturday, July 7.

Chapel St Precinct event organisers said the staged nude photograph would have been completed by 9am and have had a minimal impact on Woolworths customers.

“We undertook a detailed reconnaissance before approaching Woolworths to ensure Spencer’s installation would not cause detrimental impact to trading in the store,” Chapel Street Precinct executive chairman John Lotton told the Herald Sun. “We have photographic proof that only four cars used the car park at this time on a Saturday.”

Woolworths Prahran’s rooftop car park.

Spencer Tunick’s nude shoot under the Bolte Bridge in 2001.

Spencer’s Tunick work in Nevada.

Artist Spencer Tunick’s mass nude photo in Munich.

But Woolworths said the customer always came first.

“The request for the photo was for the weekend, which is the busiest time of the week for shopping in our stores, and as such we must ensure customers have convenient access to our store when we are open,” a Woolworths spokesman told the Herald Sun.

“We are proud supporters of the Prahran community and we also remain supportive of the Chapel Street Precinct Association’s Provocare Festival of the Arts event.”

But Chapel Street Precinct head of business Chrissie Maus described the “prudish decision” as lacking a community engagement.

Artist Spencer Tunick’s snap taken in Aurillac, France.

“One of the main reasons for events such as this is to bring people to the area and to make the Chapel Street Precinct a culturally exciting place for everyone,” she said.

“The interest in Spencer Tunick has been massive.

“Since the announcement, more than 10,000 people have registered to be part of his beautiful photography. This photo will go viral, not only in Australia, but right around the world,” Ms Maus said.

Tunick and the Chapel Street Precinct Association have begun a petition to change Woolworth’s decision.

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