There’s something deeply unsettling about walking down a street and realizing the path you just stepped on is breathing.
But, in New York – a city where nothing shocks anyone anymore – a street performance artist named “Kevin Carpet” has raised eyebrows for forcing people to do exactly that.
His art? Undetermined. His medium? Carpet.
It goes something like this: Wrapping himself in carpet and lying motionless in public spaces, inviting strangers to walk on him.
Some think it’s art, some think it’s a prank – and others just think it’s incredibly creepy.
Kevin is no stranger to attention. He has been in the “human carpet” business since the 80s.
But his most recent “exhibition” has reignited NYC’s oldest debate. Is Kevin Carpet just plain old weird?
In a clip posted to social media, which has gathered over 3.5 million views, many branded it “perverted” and “sick.”
Kevin can be seen lying on the floor in broad daylight while unassuming pedestrians jump over or step on him. He can even be heard saying “ow” as a couple walk over him.
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The woman filming the video, NYC local Taylor Pare, reveals that Kevin has been “going around for years with his carpet, typically in the party scene.”
“What I don’t love about this is that it’s not consensual at all because nobody knows there’s a person in there,” she states in the TikTok video.
“It’s alarming. Someone could trip. If it’s a sexual desire or fetish it should be disclosed to all parties,” she adds.
Pare can then be heard warning two men who look hesitant to approach the carpet.
“There’s a person in there,” she says.
“Is it like an art thing?” one man asks.
“No, they just like to be in carpets and not tell people about it,” she replies.
Viewers were left divided over the scene with some even dubbing Kevin as “NYC clubbing royalty.”
“That’s Kevin Carpet!!! I used to go dance in Queens 10 years ago when he was in the scene. It’s amazing he’s still around,” said one viewer.
“That’s just Kevin carpet,” said another unfazed person.
One viewer came to the staunch defense of Kevin saying, “I actually find it pretty messed up that you’re subjecting him to online criticism – mind your business?”
Others were not so willing to brush the situation under the rug.
“This isn’t even funny, this is genuinely strange,” said one concerned viewer.
“I’m so sick of perverted people,” echoed another.
In an interview with The Cut in 2022, Kevin insisted his pastime was not a sexual fetish.
“This is not a fetish for me. I don’t get off on it,” he said.
“It’s a Zen-type state. I’m feeling the people, hearing what they’re talking about. I’m looking down at everyone hanging out, and I just phase out of being a person.”
In a 2008 interview Lady Gaga raved about a “sex party” where “there’s a lot of people hanging out, getting drunk, having a good time,” and “a guy wrapped in a carpet underneath the bar.”
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