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A $100,000 statue, a broken foot, and zero buyers, this public art gamble has gone sideways fast.

New York sculptor Sergio Furnari, originally from Italy, spent more than $100,000 of his own money creating a lifesize statue of Charlie Kirk, the far-right political activist who passed away following the inicident in September last year.

Furnari said no one commissioned the piece, but he believed it could raise “millions” of dollars. Instead, he says he has received messages from people claiming they intend to urinate on the sculpture.

The artist plans to display the statue in Times Square on September 10, the anniversary of Kirk’s death, hoping the attention might help him recover some of the money he spent on steel, resin, and labor.

There has already been another setback. Furnari recently broke his foot while working on the statue after tripping over a roll of tape in his studio. Asked if the statue might be cursed, he replied “Is it cursed? Maybe. I don’t know,” though he later said he believes the statue is “blessed.”

Furnari said he was not a fan of Kirk and disagreed with him on certain issues, including Palestine. Still, he said he made the statue to “exercise the first amendment,” “glorify democracy,” support Kirk’s wife, and “commemorate a person.”

Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was a highly influential figure in MAGA circles and a deeply divisive public figure, known for controversial comments on race, politics, and identity.

As of the report, Furnari’s online fundraiser had brought in $1,400 toward an initial goal of $150,000.

Would you call this bold public art, a bad investment, or both?

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/sculptor-behind-viral-times-square-175025766.html