Sin City now boasts one more controversial attraction on its roster with the installation of a towering marionette depicting a nude Donald Trump.
Interstate 15, just outside of Las Vegas, is the first stop for the 43-foot tall hanging statue with functional marionette arms. Called "Crooked and Obscene," the art piece arrived days before the Harris campaign visited Nevada, and will proceed to embark on a tour of the U.S.
The anonymous sculptor called local ABC affiliate KTNV to discuss the 6,000-pound foam and rebar statue, which is meant to invite reflection and conversation about "transparency—or lack thereof—in politics, challenging viewers to think critically about political influence," according to the artist.
Not everyone is appreciative of the invitation; The Nevada GOP released a statement condemning the statue, calling it "deplorable" and "political theater."
Please see our statement regarding the political theater that took place in Nevada this weekend.
— Nevada GOP (@NVGOP) September 30, 2024
I'm sure we would all be interested to know if the @nvdems support this kind of behavior? pic.twitter.com/mGw5c13kt2
"While families drive through Las Vegas, they are forced to view this offensive marionette, designed intentionally for shock value rather than meaningful dialogue," read the statement.
In an X post, another person called the display "political violence." Alleging it cost over $550 thousand and is "designed to insight violence."
POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Nevada Democrats have hung a 43 foot tall, 6000 pound naked President Trump in effigy near Las Vegas on Interstate 15. The display cost $550K It is designed to incite violence against and on behalf of the former president.
— @amuse (@amuse) September 30, 2024
h/t @LaNativePatriot pic.twitter.com/jVrmYMc1lX
The strings attached to the arms as an integral piece of the 'political puppet' metaphor are not visible in certain circulating photos of the art piece, leading some viewers to believe it depicts a hanging.
I don't want to hear another damn word about a noose being outside the Capitol during the FEDsurrection on J6th
— 🪶Native Patriot 🇺🇸 (@LaNativePatriot) September 30, 2024
pic.twitter.com/fW32oIZeXn
Others find the work more amusing than thought or offense provoking.
What if we kissed under the naked Donald trump statue in Apex? pic.twitter.com/2LJyO7uv2n
— 𝔍𝔲𝔰𝔱𝔦𝔫 (@helveticagothic) September 29, 2024
In 2016, a series of naked Trump statues known collectively as "The Emperor Has No Balls" appeared in major cities across the U.S. to a similarly mixed reception.
The next destination of the larger contemporary "Crooked and Obscene" art installation has yet to be announced.
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