Grab-Ass At MoMA

Were they "asking for it?"

In a brief statement, the museum’s communications department stressed that untoward incidents have been few and far between during the run of what it described as a heavily trafficked show. MoMA, the statement added, is “well aware of the challenges posed by having nude performers in the galleries,” and “discussions took place between MoMA’s security staff and Marina Abramovic and the performers to ensure that the performers would be comfortable in the galleries at all times.”

[...]

Ms. Abramovic’s work, which often involves nudity and sitting, standing or lying down for long periods, has invited close encounters of all kinds at the MoMA exhibition. And the show has made fascinated spectators out of the performers themselves, who have generally enjoyed being part of it, despite undeniable challenges.

In addition to the gropers, there have been less extreme but still unnerving encounters. Mr. Rawls, for example, said that standing with his arms at his side he had felt more erections “across the back of my hand than I can count.”

Sounds as if they were.