Red goats of Kingston
Encyclopedia
The red goats of Kingston is a controversial public art
display which appeared in the stockade district
of Kingston, New York
in October, 2011. The artists responsible for the goats, which were stenciled on newly-installed planters in front of area businesses, were apprehended and charged with several crimes. One, the owner of a tattoo shop in the area, had publicly praised the then-unknown vandals and tattooed the goat motif on several people in the following days; he posted a picture of one of the $37 red goat tattoos on his business' Facebook page.
Initial speculation that the graffiti was placed by opponents of the Pike Plan project, a neighborhood restoration which included installing the planters, was rebuffed by the plan's critics and allegedly refuted by the suspects' own testimony. Nevertheless, a debate emerged about whether to preserve the stencils as art or remove them as vandalism. The goats were removed in a few days' time by the contractors renovating the neighborhood, but calls to preserve them have transformed into a dialog about creating a permanent, public display of the goats.
The Pike Plan is a renovation project which is largely focused on restoring canopies which had originally been installed on uptown Kingston buildings in the 1970s; critics of the project advocated instead for removing them and using the funds for other projects. It is named for John Pike, the artist who originally designed the canopies. Many of the property owners who advocated for removing the canopies rather than restoring them, did not feel that the project had a thorough public hearing. The cost of maintenance of the canopies is raised by means of a special tax assessment on the owners of the 39 properties affected. The large, white sidewalk planters upon which most of the goats appeared were only a small part of the larger renovation plan.
The goats were first covered with plastic sheeting, and then removed with paint thinner; the process involved replacing the sealer on the planters, and was estimated to cost $5,000. Despite the original icons being covered, figures of the red goats were included in the parade which celebrated the completion of the plan.
Salesman confessed after being confronted with security camera footage which was recorded from an undisclosed location. She was released on an appearance ticket. Despite the confession, police were not able to determine the significance of the numbers which were painted on the goats.
Prior to his arrest, Paulsen, who owns a tattoo parlor on Wall Street, praised the "Red Goat Vandal" for boosting the tattoo parlor's business, and claimed that he had tattooed at least seven red goats between when the stencils appeared and November 1, at a cost of $37 each. The picture of one of the tattoos, which Paulsen posted on the tattoo parlor's Facebook page, was said to look very similar to the original stencils. Paulsen was held overnight pending arraignment.
Kingston Mayor James Sottile characterized the goats as defacement, and expressed hopes that the suspects be ordered to remove all graffiti from the city "with a toothbrush" should be they convicted. Prior to suspects being arrested, alderman
Tom Hoffay likened to gang graffiti, telling one area newspaper, "Bloods, Crips, goats — it’s all the same." Hoffay further speculated that the goats were painted by individuals opposed to the controversial Pike Plan, which called for the restoration of canopies which opponents wished to have removed. One such opponent, Eric Francis Coppolino
, called the remarks "inappropriate" and that referring to the goats as "a political statement is an overreach." The suspects were later said to have been motivated by boredom.
Some residents advocated for preserving the goats, likening them to officially-sanctioned public art projects in other municipalities. Local business owners collected some 50 signatures on a petition to preserve the goats as a permanent installation. The goats became the subject of a Facebook page, tattoos, and a drink special; one area business owner placed the stencil on his store's facade. Several products with the red goat icon were made available for purchase in a shop on the web site Etsy
.
In an editorial, the Daily Freeman
said that "we lean toward the opinion of the community members who have wondered how funny those inclined to defend the act would think it if the targets had been their cars or homes." Of the goats themselves, however, the editorial stated:
The editorial went on the say that "the spray painting was certainly an undemocratic act," but that "We are struck, however, by the fact that, if convicted, the alleged perpetrators face up to 4 years in state prison, the same amount of time that Dr. Conrad Murray can get for causing the death of the singer Michael Jackson."
Reactions of residents and area business owners to the goats were mixed, focusing on both the aesthetic appeal of the stencils and the violation of law which they represented. Some condemned the paintings as vandalism, with one suggesting that they be given community service to "put those powers to good instead of evil." Others viewed the goats as representative of the feeling of frustration shared by many community members over the renovation project itself.
Public art
The term public art properly refers to works of art in any media that have been planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in the physical public domain, usually outside and accessible to all...
display which appeared in the stockade district
Kingston Stockade District
The Kingston Stockade District is an eight-block area in the western section of Kingston, New York, United States, commonly referred to as Uptown Kingston...
of Kingston, New York
Kingston, New York
Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, USA. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. It became New York's first capital in 1777, and was burned by the British Oct. 16, 1777, after the Battles of Saratoga...
in October, 2011. The artists responsible for the goats, which were stenciled on newly-installed planters in front of area businesses, were apprehended and charged with several crimes. One, the owner of a tattoo shop in the area, had publicly praised the then-unknown vandals and tattooed the goat motif on several people in the following days; he posted a picture of one of the $37 red goat tattoos on his business' Facebook page.
Initial speculation that the graffiti was placed by opponents of the Pike Plan project, a neighborhood restoration which included installing the planters, was rebuffed by the plan's critics and allegedly refuted by the suspects' own testimony. Nevertheless, a debate emerged about whether to preserve the stencils as art or remove them as vandalism. The goats were removed in a few days' time by the contractors renovating the neighborhood, but calls to preserve them have transformed into a dialog about creating a permanent, public display of the goats.
History and appearance
The red goats are stencils which were painted onto a number of white planters and other locations around Kingston's Stockade District from October 24-26, 2011. Varying reports claim that 32, 33, or 38 football-sized red goat stencils appeared throughout the uptown area. The goats were placed on eleven planters which had been installed as part of a renovation project known as the Pike Plan, just prior to the project's dedication. White numerals were added to the goats the following night.The Pike Plan is a renovation project which is largely focused on restoring canopies which had originally been installed on uptown Kingston buildings in the 1970s; critics of the project advocated instead for removing them and using the funds for other projects. It is named for John Pike, the artist who originally designed the canopies. Many of the property owners who advocated for removing the canopies rather than restoring them, did not feel that the project had a thorough public hearing. The cost of maintenance of the canopies is raised by means of a special tax assessment on the owners of the 39 properties affected. The large, white sidewalk planters upon which most of the goats appeared were only a small part of the larger renovation plan.
The goats were first covered with plastic sheeting, and then removed with paint thinner; the process involved replacing the sealer on the planters, and was estimated to cost $5,000. Despite the original icons being covered, figures of the red goats were included in the parade which celebrated the completion of the plan.
Investigation and arrests
Two local artists, Geddes Paulsen and Maggie Salesman, were brought up on charges by Kingston police on November 9. Each was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a felony, and making graffiti, a misdemeanor. The charges can bring up to four years' prison time.Salesman confessed after being confronted with security camera footage which was recorded from an undisclosed location. She was released on an appearance ticket. Despite the confession, police were not able to determine the significance of the numbers which were painted on the goats.
Prior to his arrest, Paulsen, who owns a tattoo parlor on Wall Street, praised the "Red Goat Vandal" for boosting the tattoo parlor's business, and claimed that he had tattooed at least seven red goats between when the stencils appeared and November 1, at a cost of $37 each. The picture of one of the tattoos, which Paulsen posted on the tattoo parlor's Facebook page, was said to look very similar to the original stencils. Paulsen was held overnight pending arraignment.
Reactions
The stenciled goats were deemed graffiti by critics, including project planners and some local business owners.Kingston Mayor James Sottile characterized the goats as defacement, and expressed hopes that the suspects be ordered to remove all graffiti from the city "with a toothbrush" should be they convicted. Prior to suspects being arrested, alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Tom Hoffay likened to gang graffiti, telling one area newspaper, "Bloods, Crips, goats — it’s all the same." Hoffay further speculated that the goats were painted by individuals opposed to the controversial Pike Plan, which called for the restoration of canopies which opponents wished to have removed. One such opponent, Eric Francis Coppolino
Eric Francis
Eric Francis is an American investigative reporter, essayist, author, editor and photojournalist...
, called the remarks "inappropriate" and that referring to the goats as "a political statement is an overreach." The suspects were later said to have been motivated by boredom.
Some residents advocated for preserving the goats, likening them to officially-sanctioned public art projects in other municipalities. Local business owners collected some 50 signatures on a petition to preserve the goats as a permanent installation. The goats became the subject of a Facebook page, tattoos, and a drink special; one area business owner placed the stencil on his store's facade. Several products with the red goat icon were made available for purchase in a shop on the web site Etsy
Etsy
Etsy is an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies like beads,...
.
In an editorial, the Daily Freeman
Daily Freeman
The Daily Freeman is a seven-day-a-week morning newspaper in Kingston, New York, the Ulster County seat. Serving all of Ulster County and parts of three other counties in the Mid-Hudson Valley, the broadsheet publication has a weekday circulation of approximately 22,000.In addition to its Uptown...
said that "we lean toward the opinion of the community members who have wondered how funny those inclined to defend the act would think it if the targets had been their cars or homes." Of the goats themselves, however, the editorial stated:
The editorial went on the say that "the spray painting was certainly an undemocratic act," but that "We are struck, however, by the fact that, if convicted, the alleged perpetrators face up to 4 years in state prison, the same amount of time that Dr. Conrad Murray can get for causing the death of the singer Michael Jackson."
Reactions of residents and area business owners to the goats were mixed, focusing on both the aesthetic appeal of the stencils and the violation of law which they represented. Some condemned the paintings as vandalism, with one suggesting that they be given community service to "put those powers to good instead of evil." Others viewed the goats as representative of the feeling of frustration shared by many community members over the renovation project itself.