CowParade is an international public art exhibit that has featured in major world cities. Fiberglass sculptures of cows are decorated by local artists, and distributed over the city centre, in public places such as train stations, important avenues, and parks. They often feature artwork and designs specific to local culture, as well as city life and other relevant themes.
After the exhibition in the city, which may last many months, the statues are auctioned off and the proceeds donated to charity.
There are a few variations of shape, but the three most common shapes of cow were created by Pascal Knapp, a Swiss-born sculptor who was commissioned to create the cows specifically for the CowParade series of events. Pascal Knapp owns the copyrights to the standing, lying, and grazing cow shapes used in the CowParade events.
Historyedit
The concept of "cow parade" has its origins in Zürich, Switzerland, in 1998[1] by artistic director Walter Knapp, it is based on an idea which was realised in the same city for the first time in 1986: lions as the symbol of Zurich were painted and then on display throughout the city.
The Zürich exhibit 1998 was not called "cow parade" - it was called Land in Sicht (roughly translated as "Countryside in view").[citation needed] The concept was brought to the United States when Chicago businessman Peter Hanig, along with Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg, organized an event in Chicago in 1999 called Cows on Parade. A Swiss company, CowHolding Parade AG, started to explore the idea.[citation needed] The American company capitalizing on this idea, CowHolding Parade, was founded in 1999; the Swiss company promptly sued but the case fizzled out without results.[citation needed] A bronze casting of one of the cows is on permanent display in Chicago in commemoration of the city's initial exhibition.[citation needed]
The success of this venture inspired many other cities to host similar fundraising projects. The idea has been taken up by other cities which have chosen animals for public art projects with painted fiberglass sculptures (e.g. Liverpool) (see Similar projects).[citation needed]
Cowsedit
Vaca Fileteada from Buenos Aires`s cow parade, 2006
A cow at Revolucion Avenue, from Tijuana CowParade 2008
El chico de la banca (the guy on the bench) cow, at CECUT, from Tijuana CowParade 2008
The phenomenon of CowParade has spawned copy-cat statue decorating projects in a number of cities worldwide.[15]
Zürich itself has adapted the bear theme in the "Teddy-Summer" in 2005.[16]
Elephant Paradesedit
Elephant Parade is dedicated to saving the Asian elephant from extinction with auctioned off proceeds going to the Elephant Family organisation.[citation needed]
This adopts the Cowparade idea to Berlin's town mascot; however the entailing United Buddy Bears exhibitions are very different from all other urban events. The bears were created by the German artists Klaus and Eva Herlitz. The idea and the philosophy behind the United Buddy Bears exhibitions are unique: with its international approach and its symbolism, this synthesis of the arts globally promotes tolerance, international understanding and a peaceful coexistence.
Since 2008 Wild in Art has created sculpture trails since 2008 from Aberdeen to Cape Town including events associated wth sporting events (2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games).[19]
St. Joseph, Michigan, "Lighting Up St. Joseph" (lighthouses, 2014), "All Aboard!" (2013), "Beached Pirates" (2012), "Barnyard at the Beach" (2011), "Hot Diggity Dogs" (2010), "Surf 'n Safari" (2009), "Boats-n-Beaches" (2008), "Hot Cars Cool Beaches" (2007), "Beach Bears" (2006), "Horses on the Beach" (2004, 2005)[129]
Saugerties, New York, "Hors'n Around Saugerties" (2009 & 2010);[135] "Shine On Saugerties (Lighthouses) (2011);[136] "Sittin' Around Saugerties (Chairs) (2012)[citation needed]
Seattle, Washington, "Pigs on Parade" (2001, 2007);[137] "Ponies on Parade" (2004);[138] "Nutcracker March" (2006)[139] "Huskies on Parade" (2021)[citation needed]
Tulsa, Oklahoma, "Penguins on Parade" (2002);[144] "Captain Cane Comes to Town" (2023)[citation needed]
Vancouver, British Columbia, "Orcas in the City" (2004); "Spirit Bears in the City" (2006); "Eagles in the City" (2009–2010); "Terracotta Warriors" (2012);[145] "K.C. Bear's Travel" (2023)[citation needed]
CowParade has been criticized by contributing artists for their selectivity standards; David Lynch's cow with its flesh partially ripped off, and organs showing, was rejected. The explanation is that this particular CowParade cow was rejected by the City of New York, not the CowParade organisation.[153][154]
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External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to CowParade.
Official U.S. CowParade website
CowParade Rio de Janeiro 2007 — photos.
Paris Cow Parade 2006 — photos.
Carps in Neustadt an der Aisch (Germany) — photos.