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Jimmy Kuehnle's Inflatable Suit Walk in St. Louis

Performance artist Jimmy Kuehnle walks through downtown St. Louis on December 18. Photographer Nick Schnelle documented his trip.

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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, 2009. Kuehnle's performance went through three other cities before making its final stop in St. Louis.

Kuehnle puts down his gear underneath the Arch.

Kuehnle starts laying out his suit, which he will then fill using a battery pack in his bookbag that connects to a fan inside the suit. Kuehnle has been performing in inflatable suits since 2006.

Using a hole at the bottom of the suit, Kuehnle navigates his way into it.

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."

Kuehnle walks up a grassy hill toward the Old Courthouse.

A group of businessmen try and duck under the suit as Kuehnle walks the streets. Kuehnle's obtrusive suits are designed to be in the way -- it makes for a better reaction from people.

Making it to Citygarden, Kuehnle approaches a group of schoolchildren.

These students play with and question Kuehnle about his identity. As one would expect, Kuehnle says he usually gets his best reactions of the performance from kids.