Sarah Young The Province Friday, June 27, 2003

A couple performed a live sex act last night and weren't arrested despite earlier indications by Vancouver police that they would shut down the event.

When details of the show, titled Public Sex, Art and Democracy, were first made public, the police shrugged it off, saying they'd only investigate if there was a public outcry. But they changed their minds and up until yesterday morning, Vancouver police spokeswoman Const. Sarah Bloor was saying police would proceed with charges.

But uniformed officers didn't show up for the performance at the Art of Loving store in Kitsilano and no undercover officers appeared to be present.

"They told me this morning they are not planning to attend," said Rishi Gill, the lawyer representing artist Martin Guderna, store co-owner John Ince and the two performers. Gill said charges of public indecency rely on the act's provisions about the potential to harm the public. Because the 35 audience members had to be of age and signed consent forms, Gill said the community would likely not be outraged.

The show began with Ince discussing his views on sexuality and his reasons for supporting the show. After an intermission, the lights came up on Tanya Seltenrich and Dana Williams performing oral sex on each other in front of a white canvas.

Guderna rolled red paint on them and pressed the canvas on to them, making an imprint.

syoung@png.canwest.com