People are often skeptical of anything that falls under the umbrella of "performance art" because it is relatively young as an artform and isn't as easily defined as painting, drawing, or ceramics. Plus, it can get a little strange at times. Artists like Kevin Edson are certainly not helping the movement with stunts like the one he was arrested for on April 15.
For the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, Edson decided to dress in a black costume with a veil and hat, and he visited the street where the bombing occured. According to Boston news reporterSarah S. French, Boylson Avenue was shut down after Edson was seen running barefoot with a backpack screaming "Boston Strong."
When police apprehended Edson, they found a rice cooker in his backpack similar to the pressure cookers that the bombers used on April 15, 2013. The bag was denoted and found to be non-explosive, but Edson was still arrested and charged with "threatening battery, possession of a hoax explosive device, threats to commit a crime, disturbing the peace, disturbing a public assembly, and disorderly conduct."
Sources say that Edson has an online presence as a performance artist, and that he claims to have been diagnosed as bipolar, but we're not sure how that will factor into the legal ramifications of his performance. Luckily the bomb was not real and no one was injured.
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[via Gothamist]
