Cows On Parade
...this summer Chicago was embellished by a new landmark, or landmarks to be more exact. Nearly 300 cows have found a temporary home in the streets of downtown and its buildings. This extensive public art project, organized by the Chicago Public Art Program , commemorates the city's industrial history, while bringing a sense of community and beauty to Chicago's citizens and tourists. In this "parade", every cow is full of meaning as well as artistic value. Although many might argue, I, to the contrary, would like to applaud the City of Chicago for the implementation of this great project.
This project's idea was brought to Chicago by Peter Hanig, after he saw a similar
project in Zurich. From the North Michigan Avenue Business Association, the "cow" idea found its way to the Department of Cultural Affairs . This is how it all started. Sponsors commissioned artists, and the cows were on their way.
It is difficult to make a clear statement of whether the sponsors were trying to advertise using the cows or just participate selflessly in this magnificent "parade". Some cows, such as "Give the Lady what She Wants" with shopping bags on its back is obviously nothing other than advertising for the Marshall Field's & Co., the cow's sponsor. The same can be said for the "Mooving Eli", near the Eli's Cheesecake, which also doesn't disguise its advertising nature. Some people are disgusted to call this form of advertising a public art program.
However, it is not completely fair to blame sponsors for wanting to use the cows for their own benefit. If cows were bought with tax money, then this issue would become really controversial. Many people, with whom I will tend to agree, understand that although some cows are used for advertising, there are many cows that actually beautify and enrich the city of Chicago by their presence.
One of the examples is...
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