Focus on this artwork and discuss the Installation.
The creators of the sculpture, who were dubbed "guerrilla artists" by some in the media, released a statement to the Animal New York website detailing their motivations and documenting the bust's installation in exchange for anonymity. In their statement, the artists said:We have updated this monument to highlight those who sacrifice their safety in the fight against modern-day tyrannies. It would be a dishonor to those memorialized here to not laud those who protect the ideals they fought for, as Edward Snowden has by bringing the NSA's 4th-Amendment-violating surveillance programs to light. All too often, figures who strive to uphold these ideals have been cast as criminals rather than in bronze ... Our goal is to bring a renewed vitality to the space and prompt even more visitors to ponder the sacrifices made for their freedoms. We hope this inspires them to reflect upon the responsibility we all bear to ensure our liberties exist long into the future.
The artists also expressed their dismay with perceived public apathy at Snowden's revelations.While anticipating the sculpture's probable demise, the creators told Mashable on April 6, 2015 that they "hope New York will embrace and protect this piece, much as when the Wall Street Bull was granted a permanent public home after its guerrilla placement. Even though it's already on it's [sic] way towards being removed, the possibility exists for the city to make the piece available for public viewing in a sanctioned way."The unsanctioned bust had appeared a few hours after HBO's broadcast of John Oliver's Last Week Tonight interview with Snowden in Moscow.
Wall Street Bull Edward Snowden John Oliver HBO guerrilla art bronze 4th-Amendment Last Week Tonight Mashable