Giant, Reclining Statue Of Liberty To Land In Morningside Park

HARLEM, NY — Like a monument from an alternate universe, a new sculpture of a weary-looking, reclining Statue of Liberty is coming to Harlem, set to be installed in Morningside Park later this fall.

Plans for the sculpture, titled "Reclining Liberty," by Harlem-based artist Zaq Landsberg, were presented Wednesday evening at a Community Board 9 committee meeting. It has a tentative installation date of Nov. 22, and will remain in place until November 2021.

Measuring 24 feet long, five feet wide and seven feet tall, "Reclining Liberty" will be installed near the base of the park's staircase near 120th Street and Morningside Avenue. Landsberg told the board that the sculpture was inspired by Buddhist imagery, and its depiction of an iconic American landmark poses a question about "what stage of America are we in."

"Is it a little dark, or is liberty hanging out in the space?" Landsberg said.

It will be composed mostly of plaster resin and coated with oxidized copper paint to mimic the look of the real-life statue.

The work received a warm reception from board members, who were pleased that the sculpture will be interactive and allow children to climb on top.

The $16,700 project is fully funded, with support coming from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Friends of Morningside Park and the Marcus Garvey Park Alliance.

Hailing originally from Los Angeles, Landsberg has previously exhibited other works in New York City parks, including "Islands of the Unisphere" under the big globe in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and another Statue of Liberty-inspired piece on Governors Island.