NYC performance artist divides people with sidewalk carpet stunt: ‘Perverted’

New York Post - May 9th, 2025
Open on New York Post

In New York City, street performance artist 'Kevin Carpet' has sparked controversy by wrapping himself in carpet and lying motionless in public spaces, encouraging passersby to walk on him. This peculiar form of performance art has divided opinions, with many questioning its artistic merit and others viewing it as a bizarre prank. A video capturing his latest act has gone viral, gathering over 3.5 million views and reigniting debates about the nature of his work. The clip shows pedestrians either jumping over or inadvertently stepping on Kevin, with some expressing concern over the lack of consent and potential safety hazards involved.

Kevin Carpet has been engaging in this unique performance since the 1980s, often appearing in the NYC party scene. Despite the backlash, some defend his art, labeling him as a fixture in the city's nightlife. Kevin insists his actions are not driven by a fetish, but rather a means to reach a 'Zen-type state' and connect with people. This debate touches on broader issues about the boundaries of art, consent, and public safety, making his performances a topic of both fascination and concern in a city renowned for its eclectic art scene.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The story about Kevin Carpet is intriguing and engaging, with a focus on an unusual performance artist that captures reader interest. It presents a range of perspectives, from supportive to critical, though it leans slightly towards sensationalism. The article is clear and well-structured, making it accessible to a general audience. However, it relies heavily on social media reactions and lacks authoritative sources, which affects its overall credibility. The story is timely and relevant to discussions about performance art and public safety, but its potential impact is limited. Greater transparency and more comprehensive exploration of the legal and ethical implications would enhance the story's quality and reliability.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a largely accurate depiction of Kevin Carpet's performance art, including his practice of wrapping himself in carpet and lying in public spaces. This claim is supported by multiple sources, including social media videos and interviews with Kevin himself. However, the story could benefit from more precise details regarding the historical context of Kevin's performances and the exact nature of his motivations, which are questioned by some viewers. The claim that Kevin's actions are not driven by a sexual fetish is directly supported by his own statements in an interview with The Cut, but the story could have provided additional evidence or perspectives to reinforce this point. Overall, while the core facts are accurate, some areas require further verification or context to ensure comprehensive understanding.

6
Balance

The story attempts to present multiple perspectives on Kevin Carpet's performance art, highlighting both supporters and critics. It includes viewpoints from social media users who see Kevin as 'NYC clubbing royalty' and others who find his actions 'perverted' or 'creepy.' However, the story leans slightly towards sensationalism by focusing on the more controversial and negative reactions without equally exploring the artistic or cultural significance of Kevin's work. The inclusion of a quote from a viewer defending Kevin suggests an attempt at balance, but the overall narrative could have delved deeper into the artistic community's perspective or provided expert opinions on performance art to achieve a more balanced representation.

8
Clarity

The story is well-structured and uses clear, engaging language to convey the unusual nature of Kevin Carpet's performance art. The narrative flows logically, starting with an intriguing introduction that captures the reader's attention and moving through various perspectives and reactions. The use of direct quotes from social media and past interviews adds to the clarity and vividness of the story. However, the article occasionally lacks precision in its descriptions, such as the exact locations or contexts of Kevin's performances, which could enhance the reader's understanding. Overall, the article is accessible and easy to follow, effectively communicating the main points and controversies surrounding Kevin Carpet.

5
Source quality

The story relies heavily on social media reactions and a few past interviews with Kevin Carpet, which limits the depth and reliability of the sources. While social media provides a wide range of public opinions, it may not always offer the most credible or authoritative perspectives. The story could have benefited from including expert commentary on performance art or statements from city officials regarding any legal implications of Kevin's performances. The reliance on user-generated content and past interviews without corroborating with more authoritative sources affects the overall credibility and reliability of the information presented.

6
Transparency

The story provides some context about Kevin Carpet's background and his history as a performance artist, but it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather information. The article does not disclose how the social media reactions were selected or whether any attempts were made to contact Kevin for a current statement. Additionally, the story could have been more transparent about the potential biases of the sources, particularly the social media users whose reactions are highlighted. While the article does not appear to have any overt conflicts of interest, greater transparency in sourcing and methodology would enhance the reader's understanding of the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEd6f8ssjGy/
  2. https://www.instagram.com/vanishingny/p/DHzZMYssHIP/
  3. https://www.dailydot.com/culture/nyc-carpet-guys-feuding/
  4. https://www.tiktok.com/@paretay/video/7500761664103484702
  5. https://www.instagram.com/p/CtXQzMkSIFq/