A naked man briefly occupied the pedestal where the Christopher Columbus statue once stood at Baltimore's Inner Harbor on Saturday morning.
The individual, who posed as the statue of David, maintained his position for nearly three hours, inviting onlookers to appreciate his artistic representation. Below him, art supplies were placed on the ground, encouraging passersby to sketch his likeness.
Witnesses reported that firefighters used a cherry picker to remove the man from the pedestal, likening the operation to a claw machine retrieving a toy. The artist reportedly resisted police efforts to dress him as they attempted to lift him down.
As police carried him away, bystanders shouted suggestions on how to assist the officers. The performance artist was eventually placed into a police van.
Michelle Lach, a local resident, recognized the man as a performance artist known as "Ham," who has previously performed in Philadelphia and New York. Lach noted that his performances have evolved from wearing clothing to being fully nude.
According to Lach, the artist held an umbrella to shield himself from the sun, indicating his intention to perform for a full 24 hours.
Witnesses speculated about the potential meaning behind the performance, though its purpose remained unclear. The police presence was significant, with multiple vehicles stationed along President Street near the statue platform.
The artist's plans for a prolonged display were curtailed by police intervention just before 9:30 a.m.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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