A public campaign is underway to preserve a large-scale art installation in New York City. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 5,000 people had signed a petition requesting city officials and the High Line keep “Dinosaur,” a 21-foot-tall aluminum pigeon sculpture, in place beyond its scheduled removal in the coming weeks.
A Popular Sculpture
Created by Colombian artist Iván Argote, “Dinosaur” has been on display overlooking the High Line Spur at 30th Street and 10th Avenue for 18 months. The artwork was initially proposed in 2020, among 80 submissions for the High Line Plinth commission.
A farewell event for “Dinosaur” over the weekend drew large crowds, with organizers stating they could not guarantee entry to walk-up visitors after all RSVPs were filled. Argote attended the event and signed posters for attendees, who also participated in pigeon-themed trivia and bingo.
Public Response
Supporters of the petition describe the sculpture as a symbol of the city, with one person calling it “a perfect embodiment of NYC spirit.” Others simply expressed their desire to keep the artwork, stating “Keep the pigeon!!!” and noting it “always makes me smile.”
The sculpture, according to Argote, references both the scale of dinosaurs and the pigeon’s ancestral lineage, as well as the eventual extinction of the dinosaurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Dinosaur”?
“Dinosaur” is a 21-foot-tall, hyper-realistic sculpture of a pigeon cast in aluminum by artist Iván Argote.
Where is “Dinosaur” located?
The sculpture is located on the High Line at the Spur, at 30th Street and 10th Avenue.
Why is there a petition to keep it?
A petition has gained over 5,000 signatures from people who want to make the sculpture a permanent fixture on the High Line after learning it is scheduled to be removed in the coming weeks.
Will city officials or the High Line respond to the petition remains to be seen. A possible next step could be a review of the petition by relevant authorities, but there is no indication of a specific timeline or outcome.
