UNION SQUARE — Public artist Leon Reid IV isn’t giving up on his quest to make over the bronze statue of George Washington in Union Square.
As DNAinfo first reported last month, the New York City Parks Department rejected Reid’s request to dress the statue like an average New York tourist, complete with an oversized camera and an "I ♥ New York" hat.
The Brooklyn-based artist collected more than $3,100 from 40 backers through the online fundraising site Kickstarter to finance the creation of the installation, which he dubbed “Tourist in Chief.” The project was supposed to be part of the seventh annual Art in Odd Places festival in October.
But rather than give up and return the Kickstarter cash, Reid is taking his case to Community Board 5. Reid told the blog Animal New York that he will appeal to the board during its parks committee meeting on Aug. 29.
“Coincidentally, the Parks Department will also be presenting a work of art for Union Square—which between us two—should offer you drastic viewpoints on public art,” Reid told the blog.
The project in question is Miquel Barcelo’s "Elephanta," a bronze sculpture that depicts an elephant standing on the tip of its trunk.
