Bowery Boogie | A Lower East Side Chronicle

The Big Dick Visits the New Museum [Video]

Posted: March 16, 2010 at 6:25 am

Last night, we received a hilarious email from a local artist named David Livingston.  He wrote:

Artist David Livingston has been performing his absurdist art piece Big Dick in the city for the past sever months. He wears a 6′ long flaccid felt penis that he sewed and stuffed with sofa upholstery. All of his video art pieces thus far have taken place in various New York City neighborhoods. This time he makes a brief visit to The New Museum.

We didn’t know what to expect until watching the video…

We asked his motivation for the stunt, and he replied with the following:

I find its childish humor appealing, and I am fascinated by my sudden transformation from anonymous pedestrian to attention-grabbing street performer. I don’t have to say a word, and it affects people in a whole host of ways. Most people either laugh or look away awkwardly. Some people are curious and want to start a conversation. Some people respond with anger. For me, the performance is about overcoming fear, but I like that it means something different to everyone who encounters me.

And, in case you were wondering, the penis is made from pink felt and stuffed with sofa upholstery.