Arts Hundreds strip off in Melbourne for controversial mass nude photos

Around 500 people braved the Australian winter to pose for a series of controversial nude photographs on top of a Melbourne parking lot.

The photo shoot, which was organized by American artist Spencer Tunick, took place this morning in temperatures of approximately 48 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes just weeks after supermarket chain Woolworths reversed its decision to ban the event from its premises.

Mass nude photo shoot going ahead after supermarket u-turn

Woolworths had initially denied access to its branch in Melbourne's Prahran neighborhood, citing inconvenience to weekend shoppers. But following public outcry and a high-profile petition, the supermarket last month agreedto host the shoot on condition that it was rescheduled for a quieter Monday timeslot.

Participants pose as part of Spencer Tunick's nude art installation "Return of the Nude" on July 9, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

A Woolworths spokesperson said that the retailer was "very supportive of the Provocaré Festival of the Arts and the Chapel Street community in which we operate," attributing the U-turn to festival organizers' flexibility regarding the timing of the shoot.

Speaking to CNN ahead of today's photo shoot, Tunick praised the decision.

"It's very rare for a corporation... to be part of something where the body is nude -- it's almost impossible," he said in a phone interview. "So it's very brave moment for something like this to happen, when (other) corporations are restricting the body and freedom."

Tunick's last installation in Australia, "The Base," took place in front of the Sydney Opera House in 2010. Credit: Spencer Tunick

Tunick has made his name coordinating more than 120 large-scale nude photos in public spaces around the world, from Munich to Mexico City. The latter stunt attracted a reported 18,000 naked participants. The artist said that being naked in public can "be considered free speech."

"People want a sense of freedom when it comes to their bodies and public space -- that governments ... and corporations don't own your body," he added.

Overcoming inhibition

This morning's gathering was one of four Melbourne photo shoots organized by Tunick for the city's Provocaré arts festival. Known collectively as "Return of the Nude," the art project saw another 500 naked participants photographed in six shades of body paint at a separate Melbourne location Sunday morning.

Tunick said that more than 12,000 people applied to take part in the project, with more than 920 selected for the final shots. For Michael Boland, a 35-year-old banker who flew from Sydney to Melbourne specifically for the shoot, participating was about overcoming inhibitions.

Spencer Tunick instructs participants to pose as part of his latest art installation "Return of the Nude," on July 9, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. Credit: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images

"You think of the fear of it, then you've just got to do it," he said in a phone interview. "I think we're all slightly body conscious, but when you put it in front of 500 people, it changes.

News Courtesy:www.cnn.com