South African artist Steven Cohen was arrested yesterday during a performance in Paris for sexual exhibitionism.

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The eccentric artist paraded around Trocadero Square facing the Eiffel Tower at 9:30 am, clad in a bird costume, high heels and a living rooster tied to his genitals.

After fifteen minutes, he was stopped by two policemen, in this highly touristic place of Paris.

Cohen was then taken to a police station and was released later that evening.

He has been summoned to attend court on December 16.

Known for his provocative interventions, the visual artist performs on stage, in galleries and in public places such as Ground Zero in New York, in the Shoah Memorial in Lyon and in the slums of Johannesburg.

“Steven Cohen wanted to evocate his situation, shared between two countries, South Africa, his native country and France, where he currently lives” said his lawyer Agnès Tricoire about his latest show.

Steven Cohen will also participate in the Paris Autumn Festival, September 13-21.

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