Melb Woolworths Reverses Decision To Allow Famous Photographer's Nude Shoot In Carpark

A Melbourne Woolworths has announced it will allow world famous photographer Spencer Tunick's planned nude shoot to go ahead in its carpark after knocking back the request last week. 

The shoot request was initially turned down by Prahran's Woolworths due to concerns of a "potential loss of trade", however a spokesperson for the supermarket chain said a compromise was able to be reached with Chapel Street’s Provocaré Festival of the Arts, who are bringing the US photographer to Australia next month. 

"As we've said in the past, we're very supportive of the Provocaré​  Festival of the Arts and the Chapel Street community in which we operate," the Woolworths spokesperson said.

"In further discussions with the festival organisers they indicated a willingness to be flexible with dates and times to ensure the shoot could happen without inconveniencing our customers during busy weekend trading.

"As a result, we're now able to accommodate the request to temporarily clear the rooftop for Spencer Tunick's group shot on a Monday morning during a traditionally slow trading period. 

"It's a good outcome that will allow Spencer Tunick to profile the Chapel Street precinct on the world stage without compromising the ability of our customers to access the store, in an easy and convenient manner."

Provocaré Festival of the Arts Executive Chairman, John Lotton, added, "Woolworths ​is a strong ​support​er of the arts community ​and we appreciate their decision to reconsider based on our revised proposal and date to help cause minimal impact to their customers. 

"As was already planned, we will ensure that suitable security is in place during the short period of the installation and ​will minimise any potential inconvenience to customers ​who wish to shop during this period.

"We will also be asking participants to use public transport to avoid the limited parking that is available in the area being unavailable to those shopping at Woolworths or other local retailers during this time."

The nude installation will now go ahead on Monday 9 July; click here for more details.