UPDATE: I received a statement from a PR and Communications manager at the High Line who gave me the response listed below. It seems to me like it is up to both the artist Iván Argote and the NYC Parks itself (which is a government agency run by the city of new york) to decide to keep Dinosaur.
Additionally, those wanting/willing to help could try sending an email to the addresses below to the tune of:
I am writing as a supporter of keeping Iván Argote’s Dinosaur in New York City.
I understand that the current plan is for the sculpture to leave in the coming days. I am asking you to please pause any final transfer immediately and open discussions with the artist, the High Line, and NYC Parks about every available option to keep Dinosaur in New York, whether through an extension on the High Line or to move it to another public site in the city.
This work has become deeply meaningful to New Yorkers in a little under two years time. I would be truly grateful if you do everything possible to keep it here.
Sincerely,
Your name here :)
While I am not sure specifically the most effective method of getting this to the artist or the parks agency, the public emails for press for the parks department is pressoffice@parks.nyc.gov while the listed email on the artists website is editions@ivanargote.com. Lastly, as Dinosaur physically falls into district 3, a council member or somebody at the district office could potentially help the cause at District3@council.nyc.gov
I truly appreciate seeing all the support and care for this giant pigeon that is shared among so many of us. While it’s certainly true there might be more important things in the world to worry about, sometimes something as small (or large 🦖) as a giant pigeon statue in the city gives people a smile that brightens their day. So let’s try one last time to keep this pigeon here for good 😎🗽
EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM PR AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT THE HIGH LINE LISTED BELOW:
Dear Brett,
Thank you for your enthusiasm for Ivan Argote’s Dinosaur. We’re flattered that the sculpture has generated such a response.
Dinosaur, as a High Line Plinth commission, was always intended to be a temporary installation on view for 18 months. The Plinth program is a rotating series by design. This allows the High Line to showcase a diverse range of projects by different artists, as part of the High Line Art program’s mission to expand the role of contemporary art in public spaces, as well as to adhere to stipulations outlined in the Friends of the High Line’s license agreement with NYC Parks.
The Plinth commissions are selected by the High Line Art curatorial team, with input from the Plinth Committee, oversight by NYC Parks, and considering comments from the public collected during a commenting period.
Furthermore, through Friends of the High Line’s license agreement with NYC Parks, Friends of the High Line is not permitted to display artwork on the Plinth for longer than 18 months without permission from the City of New York. You can read more about NYC Parks’ general guidelines regarding permanent and temporary art installations on their website.
While Friends of the High Line works with artists to produce the commissions for the Plinth for the public, the sculpture ultimately belongs to the artist. The artist determines what will happen to the artwork once its time on the High Line comes to an end. In the case of Dinosaur, Iván Argote has already made arrangements for Dinosaur to be transferred to a third party outside of New York City. We do not have additional information about where or how Dinosaur will be displayed.
We hope this clarifies why an extension or permanent display of Dinosaur on the High Line is not possible or being considered. We appreciate the public’s reaction to each Plinth commission and all of the artwork on the High Line. Each Plinth commission in particular generates strong reactions from the many thousands of people who experience it. While it’s always tough to see such a beloved art work leave the park, we encourage everyone to look forward to what’s to come.