In the summer of 2008 conceptual artist Steve Powers conceived a work that came to be known as the Coney Island waterboarding thrill ride.[1][2][3]
As originally conceived Powers saw the public watching volunteers undergoing actual waterboarding.[1] The Washington Post reported that on August 17 2008 Powers brought in Mike Ritz, a former US official experienced in administering waterboarding, for a one time demonstration of waterboarding on volunteers.[2] This demonstration was not open to the general public, but rather for an invited audience. Powers himself was on of the volunteers.
As built, the thrill ride was a diorama, where viewers would mount stairs to a window where they would see a tableau of two models, one a captive, one a masked interrogator. The captive was wearing an orange uniform "non-compliant" captives wear in the United States' Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba, and was spread-eagled on a tilted table.
When the piece was installed, in July 2008, viewers inserted a dollar the interrogator figure would pour water onto a rag over the captive figures' nose and throat, upon which the captive figure would start convulsing.
The piece was installed in a row of ordinary coney island freak shows and concessions. When installed the thrill ride triggered coverage and commentary around the world.[4][5]
The installation's last viewing was on September 14, 2008.[6]
Powers told The New York Times his purpose in preparing the display was educational:
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