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File:20070530 Bronze cow cast.JPG
Bronze casting commemorating Chicago's 1999 exhibition

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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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 ("Land ho").<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.Template: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.Template:Citation needed A bronze casting of one of the cows is on permanent display in Chicago in commemoration of the city's initial exhibition.Template: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).Template:Citation needed

CowsEdit

Some CowParade citiesEdit

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  • Bilbao, Spain (2001)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Manchester, England, UK (2004)<ref name="2004-UK-Manchester-Cow">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Similar projectsEdit

File:TelAviv2007Globes (22).JPG
Globe in Tel Aviv, A Gateway to the World, 2007

The phenomenon of CowParade has spawned copy-cat statue decorating projects in a number of cities worldwide.<ref name="Imitators">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Zürich itself has adapted the bear theme in the "Teddy-Summer" in 2005.<ref name="teddy-summer-2005">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Elephant ParadesEdit

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Elephant Parade is dedicated to saving the Asian elephant from extinction with auctioned off proceeds going to the Elephant Family organisation.Template:Citation needed

Location Name Exhibits Date
Copenhagen Elephant Parade 102 baby elephants 2011 June<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Hasselt Elephant Parade 2012<ref name="EPlist" />
Heerlen Elephant Parade 2011<ref name="EPlist" />
London Elephant Parade 2010<ref name="EPlist" />
Singapore Elephant Parade citation CitationClass=web

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Buddy BearsEdit

File:Buddybear Athen.jpg
Two Buddy Bears at Kurfürstendamm 21, Berlin

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.

Location Name Number of Buddy Bears Date
Berlin Buddy Bear Berlin Show 350 2001 and 2002
Berlin + since 2004 worldwide United Buddy Bears Worldtour 150 2002 and 2003, since 2004 worldwide

Wild in ArtEdit

Since 2008 Wild in Art has created sculpture trails since 2008 from Aberdeen to Cape Town including events associated with sporting events (2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Location Name Exhibits Date
Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness Oor Wullie's Big Bucket Trail<ref name="PastWild" /> 60 Wullies citation CitationClass=web

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Aberdeen Wild Dolphins 50 Dolphins June 23, 2014<ref name="2014a">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Ashford, Kent citation CitationClass=web

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55 Snowdogs September 12-November 18, 2018<ref name="snowdogash">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Birmingham citation CitationClass=web

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Birmingham citation CitationClass=web

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100 sun bears citation CitationClass=web

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Bournemouth Pride in Bournemouth<ref name="PastWild" /> 50 lions 2011
Bristol Gromit Unleashed<ref name="PastWild" /> 80 Gromits 2013<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Cambridge citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>||90 Red Poll cows<ref name="CinCam"/>||June 28, 2021- September 4, 2021<ref name="CinCam"/>

Chester citation CitationClass=web

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2010
Liverpool citation CitationClass=web

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Liverpool Go Superlambananas!<ref name="PastWild" /> 125 Superlambananas 2008
London 83 Wenlock and Mandeville mascots citation CitationClass=web

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London citation CitationClass=web

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Manchester citation CitationClass=web

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Norwich GoGoDragons!<ref name="PastWild" /> citation CitationClass=web

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AsiaEdit

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EuropeEdit

File:Bath pigs art project 2008 arp.jpg
Two of the 104 decorated pigs on display in the English city of Bath. This was a public art event, called "King Bladud's Pigs in Bath". Pig sculptures were on display around the city through the summer of 2008.
Location Name Exhibits Date
's-Hertogenbosch Garden of Earthly Delights sculpture trail Figures taken from the Hieronymus Bosch work The Garden of Earthly Delights 2016<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Bath King Bladud's Pigs 104 pigs 2008<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Bath Lions of Bath 100 lions 2010<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Bristol Shaun in the City Shaun the Sheep visits Bristol in the summer 2015, after the spring 2015 visit to London. To coincide with Shaun the Sheep Movie. 2015<ref name="Shaun in the city">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Bristol Wow! Gorillas 61 gorillas 2011<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Colchester Stand tall 112 giraffes 2013<ref name="StandTallGiraffes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Dortmund Template:Illm 120 winged rhinos 2005, expanded for 2006 FIFA World Cup
Glasgow citation CitationClass=web

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Hamburg Hans Hummel 100 Hans Hummel 2003Template:Citation needed
Hannover Elefanten-Parade 45 elephants 2004'Template:Citation needed
Istanbul Shoe Art 500 shoes 2008 September
Hull Larkin with Toads 40 toads 2010
Kaiserslautern Fishing for Phantasy 250 fish 2001
Leipzig LeOLips 100 lions citation CitationClass=web

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London What's in your DNA? 21 double helix sculptures including designed by Zaha Hadid, Orla Kiely and Ai Weiwei<ref name="1015dna">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref> || June 29 – September 6, 2015

London Shaun in the City 50 Shaun the Sheeps. Associated with a parade in Bristol in the summer 2015, and release of Shaun the Sheep Movie March 28 to May 25, 2015<ref name="Shaun in the city"/>
London Budgie the Little Helicopter Comes to Town 2021
London The Big Egg Hunt 2012
London The Paddington Trail 50 Paddington Bears citation CitationClass=web

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London Tusk Rhino Trail 21 rhinos citation CitationClass=web

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Munich Löwenparade 500 lions 2004
Neustadt an der Aisch Aischgruender Karpfen 120 carp citation CitationClass=web

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Newport South Wales, UK SuperDragons 60 dragons citation CitationClass=web

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Northampton Pride of Northampton citation CitationClass=web

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Norwich Go Elephants 54 baby elephants citation CitationClass=web

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Norwich GoGoGorillas! citation CitationClass=web

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Paris Pathé Roosters 50 roosters 2021Template:Citation needed
Sheffield Herd of Sheffield 58 elephants citation CitationClass=web

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Southampton Go Rhinos! rhinos citation CitationClass=web

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Versmold Bunte Borstenviecher 120 pigs citation CitationClass=web

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Wells Swans of Wells 60 swans 2012, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

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Wolverhampton Wolves in Wolves 30 wolves citation CitationClass=web

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Wuppertal Pinguinale 200 penguins 2006
Zürich Teddy-Summer 630 teddy-bears 2005

North AmericaEdit

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  • Anchorage, Alaska, "Wild Salmon on Parade" (2005)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Austin, Texas, "GuitarTown" (2007)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Crabtown Project" (2005)<ref> {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "PaletteFest" (2006)

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  • Cairo, New York, "Bears and Butterflies" (2009–2011)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Chicago, "Horses of Honor" (2015),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Germantown, Tennessee "The Horses are Coming! The Horses are Coming!" (21 Horses) (2008)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Iowa City, Iowa, "Herky on Parade" (2004)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Jasper, Alabama, "20-Mule Team Public Art Project" (2011)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Juneau, Alaska, "Whale Tail Trail" (2012)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Memphis, Tennessee, "Tigers Around Town" (100 Tigers) (2011)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Miami, Florida, "Rooster Walk" (2003)
  • Mountain Towns of New York (Windham, Hunter, and surrounding areas), "Rip Lives" (Small concrete replicas of Rip Van Winkle) (2010-2012)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (June–July 2008)

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Festival of Fins" (2000)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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  • Ottawa, Ontario, tulips, at the Ottawa Tulip Festival 2005 in Major's Hill Park and at the Canadian National Exhibition Direct Energy Centre
  • Oxford, Maryland, "Take a Tour of Oxford's Picket Fences"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (2009)

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Donkeys Around Town" (2016)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Pinecrest, Florida "SmARTy Dogs for Smart Schools" (2011)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Potato Head (2000)
  • Racine, Wisconsin, "Monumental Squares" (2014), "Summer Block Buster" (2013), "Summer Trunk Show" (2012), "Potsarazzi" (2011), "Hour Town" (2010), "Sunny and Chair" (2009), "Sphere Madness" (2008), "Lighten Up" (2007), "Bird is the Word" (2006), "Downtown Summer Splash" (2005), "Downtown Bears It All" (2004), "Cat'n Around Downtown" (2003), "Dog Days of Summer" (2002)
  • Richmond, Virginia, "Go Fish!" (2001)
  • Rochester, New York, "Horses on Parade" (2001)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Salem, Oregon, "Salmon in the City" (2005)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Sarasota, Florida, "Superheroes on Parade, hosted by Southeastern Guide Dogs<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • 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)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • St. Louis, "Cakeway to the West" (2014)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Shine On Saugerties (Lighthouses) (2011);<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Sittin' Around Saugerties (Chairs) (2012)Template:Citation needed

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Ponies on Parade" (2004);<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> "Nutcracker March" (2006)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Huskies on Parade" (2021)Template:Citation needed

  • Sedona, Arizona, "Javalinas on Parade" (2006)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • Toledo, Ohio, "It's Reigning Frogs" (2001);<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Rockets on Parade" (2023)Template:Citation needed

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  • Tulsa, Oklahoma, "Penguins on Parade" (2002);<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Captain Cane Comes to Town" (2023)Template: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);<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "K.C. Bear's Travel" (2023)Template:Citation needed

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> "PandaMania",<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> "Art in Bloom" (2021)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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  • Wilmington, Vermont, Bears in the Valley (2007), VerMonsters (Recycled Object Art) (2008), Painted Adirondack Chairs (2010)
  • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bears on Broadway (2005)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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CriticismEdit

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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