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Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Photos: Jimmy Kuehnle, the Inflatable Suit Man, Walks Through Downtown St. Louis

Posted By Nick Lucchesi on Tue, Dec 22, 2009 at 3:19 PM

St. Louis native and performance artist Jimmy Kuehnle took a walk through Downtown St. Louis on Friday afternoon. Kuehnle "wears," although that isn't the most accurate term, a giant inflatable suit that draws attention wherever he goes. St. Louis was the fourth and final stop on Kuehnle's tour.

Photographer Nick Schnelle followed the artist around and brings back this photo slideshow of Kuehnle's journey through the city. A few photos are below.

Performance artist and St. Louis native Jimmy Kuehnle walks toward the Gateway Arch to begin his inflatable suit performance at noon on Friday, December 18. Kuehnle's performance went through three other cities before making its final stop in St. Louis. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Performance artist and St. Louis native Jimmy Kuehnle walks toward the Gateway Arch to begin his inflatable suit performance at noon on Friday, December 18. Kuehnle's performance went through three other cities before making its final stop in St. Louis. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Kuehnle puts down his gear underneath the Gateway Arch. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kuehnle puts down his gear underneath the Gateway Arch. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Kuehnle starts laying out his suit, which he will then fill using a battery pack in his bookbag that connects to a fan in the suit. Kuehnle has been performing in inflatable suits since 2006. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kuehnle starts laying out his suit, which he will then fill using a battery pack in his bookbag that connects to a fan in the suit. Kuehnle has been performing in inflatable suits since 2006. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Using a hole at the bottom of the suit, Kuehnle navigates his way into it. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Using a hole at the bottom of the suit, Kuehnle navigates his way into it. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

With his suit filled with air, Kuehnle begins his journey, heading toward the city. Kuehnle uses multiple inflatable suits for his performances, but chose this suit, which is called Big Red. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
With his suit filled with air, Kuehnle begins his journey, heading toward the city. Kuehnle uses multiple inflatable suits for his performances, but chose this suit, which is called Big Red. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Kuehnle walks toward the Old Courthouse at 11 North 4th Street. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kuehnle walks toward the Old Courthouse at 11 North 4th Street. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

See a photo slideshow here. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
See a photo slideshow here.

A woman looks out from a door to get a better glimpse of Kuehnle and his suit. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
A woman looks out from a door to get a better glimpse of Kuehnle and his suit.

A group of businessmen try and duck under the suit as Kuehnle walks the streets. Kuehnle designs his suits to be as obtrusive as possible -- the better for getting reactions from people. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
A group of businessmen try and duck under the suit as Kuehnle walks the streets. Kuehnle designs his suits to be as obtrusive as possible -- the better for getting reactions from people. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Kids play with and question Kuehnle about his suit. The artist says he usually gets his best reactions of the performance from children. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kids play with and question Kuehnle about his suit. The artist says he usually gets his best reactions of the performance from children. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

Kuehnle makes his way down Market Street in downtown St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kuehnle makes his way down Market Street in downtown St. Louis.

A woman holds onto a clothes rack, gazing at the giant red blob. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
A woman holds onto a clothes rack, gazing at the giant red blob.

Kuehnle block a car as he walks across the street. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
Kuehnle block a car as he walks across the street. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.

After coming out of the suit, Kuehnle declares that St. Louis has beaten him and thanks those who followed his journey. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis. - PHOTO: NICK SCHNELLE

Photo: Nick Schnelle
After coming out of the suit, Kuehnle declares that St. Louis has beaten him and thanks those who followed his journey. See a slideshow of Kuehnle's journey in St. Louis.