About this project
"Tourist-In-Chief" is an installation by public artist Leon Reid IV to be placed on a classical equestrian statue of George Washington located in Union Square, NYC. The installation was selected for realization by this year's Art In Odd Places festival, Oct 1-10, 2011.
"Tourist-In-Chief" is designed to transform Washington into a contemporary monument to tourism. This transformation will be made 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 3 goals:
1) Make a comic reflection of New York's tourist industry.
2) Create a work of art that is enjoyable for all demographics (tourists and New Yorkers alike)
3) Spark public curiosity as to Washington's role in New York City history. (ex. his inauguration on Wall Street, 1789)
"Tourist-In-Chief" is related to a previous Leon Reid IV installation "True Yank" on a statue of Abraham Lincoln, commissioned by URBIS contemporary art museum and permitted by The City of Manchester, England.
"True Yank" was an enormously popular installation because it was fun and inspired the local residents to re-discover their own history and the role that an American president played in shaping a British city. For "Tourist-In-Chief" we plan to create the same type of enthusiasm for our history through the use of a little humor.
The funds you provide us through Kickstarter will be used to cover costs related to:
- Prop fabrication
- Equipment rental (for installation)
- Installation/removal
- Licensed install crew
- Photo/Video documentation
- Administrative fees related to permit process
With your support, "Tourist-In-Chief" will be possible! We appreciate pledges of any amount and look forward to transport Washington into the 21st Century! Please review the great rewards we offer for each level of support.
Thanks so much for your interest and support!
Leon Reid IV and "Tourist-In-Chief" team
Press response for "Tourist-In-Chief"
The Village VOICE
The L MAGAZINE
Wooster Collective
Animal New York
FAQ
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Leon Reid IV is a public artist based in Brooklyn, NY. His works have been commissioned and installed in cities around the world including NYC, London, Paris, Berlin, Sao Paulo, Norway and many more. Leon holds a BFA from Pratt Institute (Brooklyn) and an MA From Central St Martins (London).
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Between 2-9 days, this depends on how long NYC Parks Department will permit it.
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We plan to install in early October, 2011
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We are currently working on gaining permission form NYC Parks Department.
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We will continue to work until permission is granted. We look at the permission process as existing on a continuum rather than hinging on a single "no". We might hear 100 "nos" before hearing that 1 "yes" that gets the job done.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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$3,167
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on August 5, 2011.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
A personally addressed and signed "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, created exclusively for this Kickstarter campaign and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $1 for shipping)
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A signed 8.5''x11'' "True Yank" photographic print, a "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, a personal thank you letter and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $5 for shipping)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
A "Publc Discourse" DVD (cult classic street-art documentary featuring Leon Reid IV, Shepard Fairy, Swoon +), a signed 8.5''x11'' "True Yank" photographic print, a "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, a personal thank you letter and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $10 for shipping)
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
A signed "The Adventures of Darius and Downey" book (novel about Leon Reid IV's street-art), A "Public Discourse" DVD (cult classic street-art documentary featuring Leon Reid IV, Shepard Fairy, Swoon +), a signed 8.5''x11'' "True Yank" photographic print, a "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, a personal thank you letter and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $10 for shipping)
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A unique handmade wire scuplture (4''x2''x2''), a signed "The Adventures of Darius and Downey" book (novel about Leon Reid IV's street-art), a signed 8.5''x11'' "True Yank" photographic print, a "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, a personal thank you letter and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $10 for shipping)
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
An original Leon Reid IV "Masterwork Remix" collage (8.5''x11'') with a letter of authenticity, a "Tourist-In-Chief" postcard, a personal thank you letter and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $10 for shipping)
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
An original "Tourist-In-Chief" preparatory sketch (8.5''x11'') with a letter of authenticity, a personal invitation to Leon Reid IV's studio in Brooklyn, NY, and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $10 for shipping)
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
An original "Tourist-In-Chief" prop (large hat, large camera, large subway map) with a letter of authenticity, a personal invitation to Leon Reid IV's studio in Brooklyn, NY, a personal invitation to witness the installation of "Tourist-In-Chief" (between Oct. 1-10th) in NYC and your name mentioned on our list of supporters at www.leonthe4th.com. (for international backers please add $20 for shipping)
Project By
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Leon Reid IV,
Born: Richmond, VA 1979
Education: BFA Pratt Institute '02 MA Central St Martin's '04
Lives/works: Brooklyn,NY
Listed as one of the “60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future” by Thames & Hudson, Leon Reid IV has been on the edge of public art for over 15 years. He grew up as a traditional graffiti writer (a.k.a VERBS) and quickly developed a knack for unconventional practices such as painting street signs and installing them during daylight disguised as a construction worker. His experiments in graffiti lead him to move beyond the genre and pursue site-specific installations under the pen-name Darius Jones. Reid is one of the few artists responsible for introducing sculpture into the language of street-art, his techniques of installation combined with his humorous and romantic themes have made a sizable impact on urban artists of his generation.
Leon Reid IV designs his work to communicate directly with the public at large. He considers every site an opportunity to create work that is meaningful and accessible to the community where it exists.
