Latest news with #JamesColomina
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Make America Grime Again': Trump sculpture emerges from New York sewer; White House reacts
(Photo: jamescolomina/Instagram) New Yorkers were greeted with an unexpected sight on Wednesday when a bright red sculpture of US President Donald Trump rising from a manhole was seen in Manhattan. The life-size statue was titled Donald and was installed by French street artist James Colomina at the corner of East 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue. The figure wore a suit and tie, showing Trump from the waist up as he appeared to rise out of a manhole. A small red rat peeked out from under the cover. "I installed the sculpture in New York because this is where he built his image, his empire, his legend," Colomina was quoted as saying to USA Today. "A city he tried to conquer with golden towers and brutal slogans. I wanted this image – a red body rising from the sewers – to disturb that landscape." The statue was placed roughly a mile from Trump Tower. However, it was quickly removed by a maintenance worker. Colomina said the entire sculpture was made in France over three weeks. He transported it to New York in parts and reassembled it on site early that morning. A photo of the installation was shared on his Instagram story with the caption 'Make America Grime Again,' a play on Trump's well-known MAGA slogan. The artwork created a stark visual contrast with its surroundings, particularly with the tall Chrysler Building behind it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'The sculpture is installed right across from the Chrysler Building, a symbol of power, elevation, and architectural pride,' Colomina said. 'I liked the idea of creating a stark contrast between this vertical monument and the grotesque figure emerging from the sewers.' The White House responded with a dismissive tone. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told USA Today, 'Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This 'artist' will have to go back to the drawing board. Or perhaps art school.' Colomina is known for his bold, scarlet-red statues placed in public spaces around the world, including Paris, Tokyo, and Barcelona. His work often touches on urgent social and political themes. According to his biography on the Galeries Bartoux website, 'The 'Colomina Red,' the artist's visual signature, embodies the anger, passion, and urgency of the issues he tackles.' 'James Colomina favors a clandestine, spontaneous approach: He places his works directly in the street, without prior announcement, transforming everyday spaces into platforms for artistic reflection,' the biography says.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch the red sculpture of Trump emerge from a NYC manhole
President Donald Trump appeared in New York City on July 23, or rather, a characterized version of him did. French artist James Colomina installed a life-size sculpture of the president, titled "Donald," in Manhattan on the morning of July 23. The artist told USA TODAY that he installed the sculpture around 7 a.m. local time, though it has since been removed. The bright red sculpture, made of resin, depicted Trump from the waist up, emerging from a manhole, also part of the sculpture. Wearing a suit and tie, the statue portrayed a serious-looking and pursed-lipped Trump looking upward at the skyscraper above him. Under the manhole cover lid, a small red rat peered outward. "I installed the sculpture in New York because this is where he built his image, his empire, his legend," Colomina told USA TODAY via email. "A city he tried to conquer with golden towers and brutal slogans. I wanted this image – a red body rising from the sewers – to disturb that landscape." The sculpture was created in about three weeks at his studio in France, Colomina said. He then disassembled and transported it to New York, and later reassembled the sculpture on site. Colomina posted a photo of the sculpture to his Instagram story on July 23, with the caption "Make America Grime Again," a reference to Trump's popular motto, "Make America Great Again." Neither the White House nor Trump immediately responded for comment about the sculpture when contacted by USA TODAY on July 23. Where was the sculpture located? The sculpture was located at the corner of East 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, in front of The News Building, which is about a mile away from Trump Tower. It was removed by a maintenance worker for SL Green Realty Corp., the company that owns the skyscraper. "The sculpture is installed right across from the Chrysler Building, a symbol of power, elevation, and architectural pride," Colomina told USA TODAY. "I liked the idea of creating a stark contrast between this vertical monument and the grotesque figure emerging from the sewers." Who is James Colomina? Colomina is a street artist, known for his bright red, life-size sculptures, which have been installed in Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris, and many other cities. "The 'Colomina Red,' the artist's visual signature, embodies the anger, passion, and urgency of the issues he tackles," Colomina's artist biography on the Galeries Bartoux website states. "James Colomina favors a clandestine, spontaneous approach: He places his works directly in the street, without prior announcement, transforming everyday spaces into platforms for artistic reflection." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Do you have a story idea? Email her at gcross@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows red sculpture of Donald Trump emerge from a NYC manhole
USA Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Watch the red sculpture of Trump emerge from a NYC manhole
"I installed the sculpture in New York because this is where he built his image, his empire, his legend," artist James Colomina told USA TODAY. President Donald Trump appeared in New York City on July 23, or rather, a characterized version of him did. French artist James Colomina installed a life-size sculpture of the president, titled "Donald," in Manhattan on the morning of July 23. The artist told USA TODAY that he installed the sculpture around 7 a.m. local time, though it has since been removed. The bright red sculpture, made of resin, depicted Trump from the waist up, emerging from a manhole, also part of the sculpture. Wearing a suit and tie, the statue portrayed a serious-looking and pursed-lipped Trump looking upward at the skyscraper above him. Under the manhole cover lid, a small red rat peered outward. "I installed the sculpture in New York because this is where he built his image, his empire, his legend," Colomina told USA TODAY via email. "A city he tried to conquer with golden towers and brutal slogans. I wanted this image – a red body rising from the sewers – to disturb that landscape." The sculpture was created in about three weeks at his studio in France, Colomina said. He then disassembled and transported it to New York, and later reassembled the sculpture on site. Colomina posted a photo of the sculpture to his Instagram story on July 23, with the caption "Make America Grime Again," a reference to Trump's popular motto, "Make America Great Again." Neither the White House nor Trump immediately responded for comment about the sculpture when contacted by USA TODAY on July 23. Where was the sculpture located? The sculpture was located at the corner of East 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, in front of The News Building, which is about a mile away from Trump Tower. It was removed by a maintenance worker for SL Green Realty Corp., the company that owns the skyscraper. "The sculpture is installed right across from the Chrysler Building, a symbol of power, elevation, and architectural pride," Colomina told USA TODAY. "I liked the idea of creating a stark contrast between this vertical monument and the grotesque figure emerging from the sewers." Who is James Colomina? Colomina is a street artist, known for his bright red, life-size sculptures, which have been installed in Tokyo, Barcelona, Paris, and many other cities. "The 'Colomina Red,' the artist's visual signature, embodies the anger, passion, and urgency of the issues he tackles," Colomina's artist biography on the Galeries Bartoux website states. "James Colomina favors a clandestine, spontaneous approach: He places his works directly in the street, without prior announcement, transforming everyday spaces into platforms for artistic reflection." Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Do you have a story idea? Email her at gcross@
