Leon Reid IV /
Tourist in Chief
Tourist-In-Chief is a site-specific installation to be placed on a classical equestrian statue of George Washington in Union Square. Washington will be transformed into a contemporary monument to tourism by adding large-scale props such as an "I Love NY" hat, camera, NYC subway map, and local shopping bags. Tourist-In-Chief is intended to achieve three goals: 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) and spark public curiosity as to Washington's role in New York City history.
Saturday, October 1, 8am-7pm
Union Square
artist info
Listed as one of the “60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future†by Thames & Hudson, Reid has been on the edge of public art for over 15 years. Known for his humorous urban installations as seen throughout New York, London, Berlin and Sao Paulo, Reid is one of the few artists responsible for introducing sculpture into the genre of street-art. Leon Reid IV (born in Richmond, VA,1979) earned his BFA from Pratt Insitute in 2002 and his MA from Central St. Martin’s in 2004. He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY.
