Matthew Silver (performance artist)

Matthew Silver at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade in 2018

Matthew Silver is a New York City-based street and venue performer.

Early life

Matthew Silver was born in New Jersey.[1]

Notoriety

Matthew Silver is described as "a man who runs around NYC in his underwear saying and doing radical things."[2] Bushwick Daily states that "Silver’s stage presence is at one moment seemingly unrehearsed and ad hoc, yet his character is so well developed that you find yourself being pulled into his world, where nothing is too bizarre or over the top."[3] He is listed on Know Your Meme.[4] According to Rolling Stone, he started an art form called "looping".[5] Silver described "looping" as "the experience of being on drugs, without being on drugs."[6]

Silver has been described as spreading love and acceptance through unorthodox public displays.[7] According to himself, he is interested in "getting people to use their hearts more than their brains."[8] He has also said, "I like to make people feel awkward. It’s a vulnerable emotion."[9]

On March 21, 2017, Silver was detained by security guards at the Alamo after he removed his pants to show bikini-style underwear covered in red hearts, rode a stick pony, and swung a rubber chicken above his head.[10] When the police arrived, they determined Silver had not done anything illegal and could not be arrested.[9][11]

In 2021, Crackhead Barney expressed dismay at Silver being more famous.[12]

Silver was known at one point as "The Man In The White Dress."[12][13]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matthew Silver.
  1. ^ Ortiz, Jen (August 3, 2012). "Performance Artist Matthew Silver Keeps New Yorkers Staring". Paper Mag. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  2. ^ Portillo, Rory (June 13, 2014). "Words of Wisdom from Matthew Silver". Tastefully Offensive. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Galgiani, Allison (January 27, 2014). "Wild Performance Journey of Matthew Silver's "Circus of Dreams"". Bushwick Daily. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.
  4. ^ "Matthew Silver". Know Your Meme. May 18, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Street Party in Your Underwear: Watch the Art of 'Looping'". Rolling Stone. June 11, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  6. ^ Lee, Matthew (September 16, 2015). "WTF is nude looping? Performance artist Matthew Silver explains". Metro US. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Coneybeare, Matt (August 21, 2017). "NYC's Beloved Street Character Matthew Silver Has a New YouTube Series Called "Love Fart Awakening"". Viewing NYC. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Furfaro, Danielle (January 26, 2013). "Dumb love". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  9. ^ a b White, Tyler (March 21, 2017). "Video: Alamo Rangers detain man in Speedo riding wooden pony with rubber chicken". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  10. ^ Lopez Gonzalez, Alejandra (March 22, 2017). "Man Rides Stick Pony, Swings Rubber Chicken in His Underwear at the Alamo". San Antonio Current. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "'Don't mess with Texas': Guy drops pants at Alamo, restrained by security". WFAA. March 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Yakas, Ben (October 30, 2012). "Videos: Union Square "Fountain Gang" Bullies Performance Artist, Others". Gothamist. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  13. ^ King, James (December 3, 2012). "This Is What Matthew Silver's Up to Today". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014.


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