Leon Reid IV To Give Union Square George Washington Statue A Makeover

Artist To Give George Washington A 'Tourist' Makeover This Weekend

This Saturday, Union Square visitors will be greeted by an interesting version of George Washington, as public artist Leon Reid IV transforms the equestrian statue into a "Tourist-In-Chief."

The art installation and Kickstarter project is a win for Reid who earlier this summer was denied permission to move ahead with his project by the city's Park Department, even after successfully funding his Kickstarter goal of $3,000.

However, Vandalog reported on Friday that Reid has received the official green light and George Washington will be able to realize his dreams of being a kitschy, New York tourist.

The project is a selection of this year's Art In Odd Places festival and seeks to, according to their site:

  • Make a comic reflection of New York's tourist industry.

  • Create a work of art that is enjoyable for all demographics (tourists and New Yorkers alike)
  • Spark public curiosity as to Washington's role in New York City history. (ex. his inauguration on Wall Street, 1789)
  • This is a strange and ephemeral project, so if you want to catch our founding father decked out in tourist gear, be there Saturday from 8AM-7PM.

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