SHOCK ART

Almost Banned in Boston: A practitioner of shock art, who lit fireworks on his chest during an appearance in Boston, has touched off a swirl of comments on how much is too much in this genre. Joe Coleman, appearing before a small audience at the Boston Film and Video Foundation, bit off the head and front legs of a white mouse and hugged one spectator after he poured a bucket of blood over himself. When he ignited fireworks on his chest, some burning shards landed in the audience, endangering spectators. Fire officials said they would press for charges. Patrons, animal-rights activists and some arts leaders all said Coleman went too far.