SEARCHING FOR THE ‘UNDIES’: Dana Korey of California does some exploring of her own yesterday at the Columbus Circle art installation, attempting to feel up the Columbus statue before being warned off by security. (Dan Brinzac)
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What a discovery!
Visitors flocked to the opening of the Christopher Columbus art installation yesterday — and took the opportunity to steal a look up the captain’s frock.
Some snickered while others snapped photos like paparazzi as they got up close in the makeshift living room built around the Columbus Circle monument.
One randy woman even reached under Columbus’ marble garment in to see for herself whether the world was flat.
“If he’s that big here, I figure he’ll be that big elsewhere,” joked Dana Korey, 48, of California.
Korey was cautioned by a guard and never actually touched the statue, but she did sneak a peek.
What did she see?
“A polite woman would never answer that question,” she said.
Yesterday was the first day the $1.5 million installation was open to the public. The Columbus Circle statue has been enclosed in scaffolding and set in a living room 70 feet about the city.
It’s scheduled to remain open until Nov. 18.
The exhibit’s creator, Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi, waited in the 810-square-foot penthouse with Columbus to watch his visitors’ reactions.
Nishi, who has installed rooms around other statues, said he was worried people hadn’t liked it because no one hugged the statue, as they did at his shows in Europe and South America.
But his translator told him, Hey, this is New York!