In the heart of New York’s Times Square, amid the flashing lights and towering billboards, artist Patrick Amadon recently slipped in a message many might have missed—but one that carries powerful significance. Commissioned by LG Art Lab to create a digital work marking the launch of its blockchain-backed online art platform, Amadon inserted a fleeting yet provocative reference to the Wikipedia page for “Gaza genocide” within the frames of his artwork. This subtle but bold act turned the high-profile public display into a subversive statement on global events, briefly broadcasting a hidden message to the thousands of onlookers in one of the busiest areas in the world.
The commission, part of a collaboration with LG Art Lab, involved Amadon creating a digital piece featuring a pair of blinking eyes. Yet, the artist—known for embedding subversive content in his public works—added his own layer of commentary by flashing the controversial message about Gaza between frames, a decision that reflects his ongoing commitment to political expression through art.
Remarkably, LG Art Lab, who was unaware of the covert message beforehand, has stood by the artist in the aftermath. “To LG’s credit, they didn’t know this was coming, but they not only didn’t take it down, they said they support controversial art and artistic expression,” Amadon said in a recent interview.
This is not the first time Amadon has used public art to raise awareness about political issues. In 2022, during another digital billboard installation in Hong Kong, he incorporated the names of pro-democracy activists jailed under the country’s contentious national security law, sparking conversations about censorship and freedom of expression.
Amadon’s latest intervention in Times Square draws attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza at a time when the international spotlight is often fleeting. By using such a public and commercial platform to address sensitive political issues, the artist continues to push the boundaries of how art intersects with activism.
As for LG Art Lab, their decision to allow the work to remain unaltered speaks to a growing willingness by corporations to embrace artistic freedom, even when it challenges the status quo. In a space as commercialized as Times Square, Amadon’s piece is a striking reminder that art can still serve as a vessel for hidden, yet impactful, messages—hidden in plain sight.
