Woolworths aren’t just goin’ nuts covering all their fresh produce in plastic, it seems they’re keen to cover up all kinds of low-hangin’ fruit.
A Prahran Woolworths has made the decision to forgo the opportunity to participate in a Spencer Tunick shoot, denying the world-famous photographer access to its rooftop carpark.
Despite a number of businesses in the area lobbying the supermarket to change their mind, it seems Woolies won’t budge – citing ‘inconvenience’ to customers as their main reason.
Having trouble securing my main location (car park) in Melbourne. But there were only 4 cars up there at 9:30 AM when I shot this photo. We’ll be done by 9:30. What gives?
Come on @woolworths_au be the hero! #ReturnOfTheNude @provocareonchapelst @chapelprecinct #chapelstreet pic.twitter.com/VsO9VP6t6v— Spencer Tunick (@SpencerTunick) June 7, 2018
Surely it has nothing to do with you know, NIMBYs against nipples or anything like that.
Clearly Woolies know their customers very well.
New York-based Tunick had initially planned to snap thousands of naked Melbournians in all their nude glory on the on the supermarket rooftop in Chapel Street.
The artist emphasised the distinctive appeal of the space in a statement.
“I believe that this latest spot [in Melbourne] has something uniquely special about it… it’s otherworldly.”
Despite the fact that Tunick’s highly respected shots have a track record of going viral, Woolies firmly believe the shoot will ‘inconvenience’ their customers.
The supermarket chain issued a statement of their own, reiterating their position regarding the impact on weekend shoppers.
“We recently upgraded the rooftop car park at our Prahran store to make it more accessible and comfortable and its primary purpose is so our customers have convenient access to available car parking close to our store.”
Hmm, yes, prioritising parking over an internationally acclaimed artist who can help bring in more customers and enhance the reputation of your store… Makes sense, eh?
Not only would the shoot be, let’s face it, an honour (Tunick is a globally celebrated photographer), it would put the suburb AND store on the map.
But ya know… who wants to showcase Melbourne to the world anyway, am I right?
It’s not like anyone ever looks at those ordinary shots Tunick snapped of Sydney anyway.
#sydneyoperahouse #MardiGras @sydneymardigras #contactsheet #filmphotography #analogphotography @CineStillFilm pic.twitter.com/zGcAbO5VH3
— Spencer Tunick (@SpencerTunick) March 4, 2018
#sydneyharbourbridge #filmphotography #contactsheet #MardiGras @sydneymardigras pic.twitter.com/EV88STN3jG
— Spencer Tunick (@SpencerTunick) March 3, 2018
Thank you Sydney Opera House for understanding that the nude body in photography represented beauty and freedom in Australia not crime and violence. @provocareonchapelst @sydneyoperahouse pic.twitter.com/dxehGD5oQN
— Spencer Tunick (@SpencerTunick) June 6, 2018
Sydney 1, Melbourne 0.