Mummies, Superman and deer-men are not welcome on the city's subways.

Shanghai Metro authorities have decided to discourage these "performance artists" from appearing on trains and stations and disrupting public order.

While authorities can't bar such displays at present, they will use their powers of persuasion to try to keep costumed commuters from using the subway. The authorities said they may also revise regulations to prohibit such displays.

 

On Friday, a man wrapped up like a mummy in white bandages entered a carriage at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Station on Metro Line 2. [xinmin.cn]

On Friday, a man wrapped up like a mummy in white bandages entered a carriage at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum Station on Metro Line 2. He greeted passengers, took a seat and tried to shake hands with a few people.

Initially, the commuters were shocked at the sight, but soon shock gave way to amusement, and many clicked pictures of him on their mobile phone cameras.

Pictures and videos of the mummy are now making the rounds of the Internet.

But not everyone was entertained. A woman passenger was repulsed by the sight and asked the mummy to leave, according to a witness. The performer, however, paid little heed to her discomfort.

In May, a man wearing a Superman costume appeared on Line 2 and caused a minor disruption. In July, a man wearing a deer's head and white coat showed up at subways, shopping malls and supermarkets.

These appearances aroused great interest and were widely discussed on numerous blogs. Some Shanghai residents thought it was a novel and entertaining idea, but no one seems to know why these commuters are dressing up.

Metro authorities, however, said they had received complaints about the artists and are considering a ban.

(Shanghai Daily October 20, 2008)