Nov. 6, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A large digital clock on the Long Island City waterfront makes it clear that President Donald Trump’s days are numbered.
The clock located by Anable Basin has been counting down the days until Trump’s term in office comes to an end–and for many residents that day can’t come soon enough.
The timepiece was put up on the front of Sound River Studios, located at 4-40 44th Dr., more than three years ago by Matthew Barney, who operates out of the building, along with fellow artists such as Brandon Stosuy.
The clock features bright red lights that display the days and hours until the next U.S. presidential inauguration. The digits can be seen from across the East River and from the northern end of Gantry Plaza State Park.
The meaning of the timepiece has left some residents baffled because it stands alone without any explainer of what the numbers mean.
“All this time I just thought it was some doomsday clock or project,” said Michael Russinik, a Long Island City resident, who was looking at the clock today from Gantry Plaza State Park.
“But hearing that now makes complete sense that someone would put that here in Long Island City,” Russinik said. He then quipped: “I don’t think it’s going fast enough, I look forward to that date.”
Although Trump is from Queens, the majority of voters in the borough did not support him in 2016 nor on Tuesday. According to unofficial election results, only 30 percent of residents voted for him on Nov. 3.
Two voters, Greg Schaffert and Eileen Coyne, a Long Island City couple who backed Joe Biden, said they have eagerly watched the clock for over a year.
The couple, who were in the Gantry Plaza State Park today, said that they had celebrated countdown milestones.
“I remember when it was at 300 and we celebrated–and when it hit 200 and then 100,” Schaffert said. “It was 78 on election day.”
Coyne said that the clock reflects the animosity that many residents have toward the president. She said that the artists did a good job in conveying the message without making the clock too imposing.
“I like that it’s not too in-your-face, it’s just subtle,” she said.
The clock, however, symbolizes much more than a repudiation of the president, according to Raghu Govindan, an Indian tourist who was in Long Island City today.
He said that its existence shows that America is about freedom of speech.
“A democracy like the United States provides freedom of expression to all kinds of thoughts and this is an expression of one belief,” Govindan said.
“That’s what makes America a great country because it allows people to express themselves whether they are for the party or against the party in government, it doesn’t matter.”
The clock I made with Jane and Matthew and friends in 2017 is still counting down the days and hours left in Trump’s presidency. Vote and help it stay at zero on Election Day. pic.twitter.com/PuvhP5hF3J
— brandonstosuy (@brandonstosuy) October 24, 2020
18 Comments
At what time on the 20 January does the LIC COUNTDOWN CLOCK GET TO ZERO?
I think today presser got us a little closer to that clock being reset on January 20th! The fact that the “artist” would be “too upset” to do the reset makes Trump”s victory even more satisfying!
#MAGA
I find it funny.Most in the High Tower water district are 1% ‘ers.
They don’t plan to stay in LIC or NYC forever.
Most likely they are registared in another state. If not for theyr’e income, none of the local businesses would survive(pre-covid)(it will be a miracle for whoever surrives)
The 1% income makers make LIC, it’s why this site is even here.
Having Biden as President won’t change much for the area anyway.
So gonna pick up my motor cycle and speed down center blvd at 1am.
Be safe ,wear a mask
Oh and I voted for Joe.
Expressing yourself is one thing. Burning down businesses, breaking store windows to steal, throwing bottles and rocks at people, etc. is NOT protesting. It’s protesting being used as an excuse to be a low life piece of garbage. If the 2 year old in the fat suit doesn’t leave when he’s supposed to, secret service (which this family has abused in their time and OUR funded tax money) should break down the revolving door of the White House (which was installed when he broke into the White House) and shoot. He and his dysfunctional, worthless and ugly clan need to go now!
Donald Trump did not “break in” to the White House. He is the duly elected President of the United States.
Good luck trying to hold back your violent faction of left-wing thugs. And be careful yourself since the young left is not exactly enamored of your Tribe.
Trump 2020 (will be certified)
Powell-Ennis 2024
#MAGA KAG
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!
I thought that was each candidate’s my ages.
They might have to reset that clock by early December.
Trump lost the election. This was a countdown until he lost, so no. This comment didn’t age well ?
Trump WON on election night which is all that matters. He will be certified as the next president once audits are complete and late votes are disqualified. Sorry kiddies, it your guy that’s measuring the drapes too early.
How’d that work out for you little guy?
You and the other babies finished crying now?
Man this is great, straight comedy.
Actually this issue was discussed in one of the interviews before. The artist told journalist that there would be no reset because he would feel too upset to do so.
“That’s what makes America a great country because it allows people to express themselves whether they are for the party or against the party in government, it doesn’t matter.”
He obviously has never seen Twitter or American news media.
What disgraceful idiots. This isn’t over by a long shot.
It was over when Biden won the presidency by 5 million votes. The Trump lovers can’t lose gracefully. Sad!
So do we get to scream, riot, loot, burn down businesses now while claiming not my President?
Yes exactly as you did when Obama was president.
This could not be further from the truth
“That’s what makes America a great country because it allows people to express themselves whether they are for the party or against the party in government, it doesn’t matter.”