USA: A performance artist disguised as U.S. president crawls the streets of New York and encourages people to 'kick his ass'

A British artist's new performance is a pain in the ass, literally. Controversial artist Mark McGowan on Thursday (February 22) crawled the streets of New York City dressed as U.S. President George W. Bush and encouraging people to kick him in the rear. McGowan plans to make his way around Manhattan for 72 hours straight, all while wearing a well-placed "kick my ass" sign and allowing passers-by to take aim at his posterior. "I wanted to offer the people of America and New York a cathartic experience by giving them the opportunity to kick George Bush in the ass. So by me using myself, my own body, it gives people a sense of reality and it can become a therapeutic engagement for them to really go home tonight and tomorrow and think, 'hey, I kicked George in the ass,'" said McGowan. New Yorkers did not miss the opportunity to pummel the President, whose approval rating among Americans has reached a low 37 percent. One woman, Amy Brown, couldn't seem to stop kicking, but then decided to give McGowan a rest. "He's doing a service, a public service, and I'm giving him a break," said Brown. "It felt great, really. To tell the truth, I think a little kick is what he really needs," said another female kicker, Regina Peckerman. McGowan has made a name for himself in the United Kingdom, where his stunts included eating a swan in protest against the monarchy and upper classes - swans are considered the Queen's property and only she is allowd to eat them. But his anti-Bush demonstration is McGowan's U.S. debut, and he said he has prepared himself for an onslaught of public abuse, including making sure his rear is properly padded. "It's my coat and a pair of trainers. I was going to use a pillow, but it seemed too soft. And people, when I was in training, people who were kicking it seemed to enjoy it, but this is a bit sturdier," said McGowan. McGowan said he will only pause his performance to eat and use the bathroom. He said he believes the worst part about crawling the streets of Manhattan dressed as Bush will be dealing with the homeless, but he might have to beware of the occasional Republican, too.

ITN Source | February 23, 2007

Tags:. .himself. .february. .rest. .reality. .kicked