Thousands to drop duds, as Woolworths reverses Spencer Tunick decision

A concerted - some would say powerfully raw - campaign to convince Woolworths to host a giant nude photoshoot in Melbourne has paid off.

The supermarket chain has relented to public pressure, announcing that it will now allow New York photographer Spencer Tunick to take over its rooftop Prahran carpark for his next naked photographic installation, part of Chapel Street Precinct's Provocare arts festival.

The retailer knocked back the request in late April, saying it would inconvenience customers and disrupt accessibility to the carpark on a Saturday morning.

After pleas from both Tunick and the public, the Fresh Food People will now allow the photographer to substitute cars with some very different models for one chilly hour on Monday, July 9.

Photographer Spencer Tunick (left) and Provocaré Festival of the Arts director John Lotton.
Photo: Supplied

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

The spokesperson said the decision would enable Tunick to present the Chapel Street precinct on the world stage.

A Spencer Tunick photoshoot at the Sydney Opera House in 2010.
Photo: Peter Braig

John Lutton, executive chairman of the festival, welcomed the decision.

"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 campaign to allow Tunick to use Woolies' carpark garnered plenty of attention on social media and an online petition, with even Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews weighing in.