Red Trump sculpture pops up from a Manhattan manhole. White House responds

Indian Express

a day ago

On the morning of July 23, New Yorkers were taken by surprise when a bright red sculpture of US President Donald Trump appeared at a busy Manhattan intersection, seemingly climbing out of a manhole. The life-size artwork, titled Donald, was secretly installed by French street artist James Colomina at the corner of East 42nd Street and 2nd Avenue.
Colomina, known for his provocative red sculptures placed unannounced in public spaces, told USA Today the location was intentional: 'I installed the sculpture in New York because this is where he built his image, his empire, his legend,' he said, as per 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 sculpture, made of red resin, depicted Trump from the waist up in a suit and tie, his expression stern, lips pursed, and eyes cast upward toward the skyscrapers. Tucked beneath the manhole cover, part of the sculpture, was a small red rat, peering out.
The installation faced the Chrysler Building, a placement Colomina said was deliberate: 'The sculpture is installed right across from the Chrysler Building, a symbol of power, elevation, and architectural pride. I liked the idea of creating a stark contrast between this vertical monument and the grotesque figure emerging from the sewers.'
Colomina, who posted an image of the sculpture to his Instagram story with the caption 'Make America Grime Again,' said he spent about three weeks creating the piece in his studio in France. He shipped it to New York in parts and reassembled it on-site around 7 am local time.
But the artwork didn't stay up for long. Later that day, a maintenance worker with SL Green Realty Corp, which owns the building where the statue appeared, removed it.
The Trump administration dismissed the installation. White House Deputy Press Secretary 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 widely recognised for his clandestine, eye-catching public art. His red-painted sculptures, often depicting political or social commentary, have appeared in global cities like Tokyo, Barcelona, and Paris.
According to his biography on the Galeries Bartoux website, Colomina's signature style, dubbed 'Colomina Red,' is intended to evoke 'anger, passion, and urgency' around contemporary issues. He prefers unsanctioned placements, using the element of surprise to provoke reflection in ordinary urban settings.
(With inputs from USA Today)