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George Washington The Tourist Coming To Union Square This Weekend
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 29, 2011
Modified Sep 29, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 29, 2011
Modified Sep 29, 2011
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This summer Brooklyn artist Leon Reid IV launched a Kickstarter to support his project: dressing up the George Washington statue in Union Square as a tourist. At the time, the Parks Department said they didn't allow dressing up public statues... yet today word comes in that it's all happening this weekend. That's right, this Saturday George will be donning an "I ♥ NY" hat, a subway map, and local shopping bags... but like all tourists he's only here temporarily, leaving around 8 p.m. that night.
Reid says his project, called Tourist In Chief, aims to:
1) Reflect the cultural atmosphere of Union Square.
2) Make George Washington more relatable to the public.
3) Educate the public about Washington's role in NYC history.
Tagged
art
george washington
leon Reid IV
statue
tourist
tourist in chief
union square
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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