Music
27 Feb 08

Performance artist show cancelled

Performance artist Mark McGowan has been stopped from pulling 300 kilos of potatoes along the road from Ballymun to Drumcondra dressed as Bertie Ahern as it was seen to be too “politically sensitive”

McGowan had planned, as part of a Ballymun Regeneration event, to ‘pay homage’ to Bertie by crawling on his hands and knees today (Feb 27). But the event was scrapped at the final hour.
“I suppose the official statement is because it’s a publically-funded exhibition, I have been asked not to do the performance because the Ballymun Regeneration people see it as a party political issue and cannot be seen to be partisan.
"I am really disappointed and just wanted to do this art piece and bring art to Dublin and at the same time give Bertie Ahern a boost in what is really troubled times for him. I believe it is unfair not to let this event happen, but it is out of my control."
Earlier this week, McGowan spoke to HP's Jason O'Toole about his planned performance. Read the full story in the new Hot Press, out tomorrow (Feb 28).