An artist who invited complete strangers to fondle her genitals in public has been arrested in Trafalgar Square. Controversial performer Milo Moire had been travelling Europe for her new 'Mirror Box' show, which is designed to promote women's right to not be touched.
So far her performance has taken in Dusseldorf and Amsterdam, but when she took her art to Trafalgar Square, in London, she fell foul of the law.
During the show, Ms Moire allowed passers-by over the age of 18 to touch her breasts or genitals for thirty seconds.
She told the Mirror Online:
"I was in Trafalgar Square and the police came and told me what I was doing was against the law and I had to come with them to the police station.I was there for 24 hours; first in one station then another with the court where I ended up having to pay a hefty fine.
"It was not nice to be in jail.I tried to explain to them the performance I was doing. The first detectives who interviewed me were women and they said they understood.
"But their chief constable did not."Ms Moire said her treatment highlights different approaches in Europe."In Amsterdam it was very different - they are more free towards sexuality.
"But in London it was more strict - too strict I think. They don't understand this form of performance."
She claims that before her arrest, her audience in Trafalgar Square were responding well.
It was very interesting to see many women, who were there for a long time watching and seemed interested," she said.
"I can't look around all the time - I have to concentrate because it could be dangerous for me.
"But I got the feeling people were interested.
"Then some mothers called the police I think because they felt offended.
"It won't stop me. It is a risk, but it is a risk I am willing to take."Speaking before the show, she said:
"I am standing here today for women’s rights and sexual self-determination.
"Women have a sexuality, just like men have oneHowever, women decide for themselves when and how they want to be touched and when they don’t.
"Today, you have the chance to touch the box for thirty seconds and feel free. It doesn't matter if you're a woman or a man."A Scotland Yard spokesman said:
"Police were called to Trafalgar Square at 6:25pm on Sunday, June 5, after a member of the public complained about the behaviour of a woman in the area.
Officers arrived and arrested a man and woman on suspicion of outraging public decency."
He added the woman was charged with outraging public decency; the man was released no further action.
