Moo’ve over, the 2016 CowParade has started!
On July 22, 2015, the CowParade SLO (San Luis Obispo) was officially launched at the California Mid-State Fair. This year, San Luis Obispo County will exhibit these cows around the county for everybody to enjoy from January 2016 until August 2016.
The CowParade is the largest art exhibit in the world. So far, events have been organized in over 80 cities around the world and it is estimated that over 250 million people have seen one of these famous cows.
There are three major fiberglass sculpture designs used in the CowParade, standing, lying, and grazing. Local artist decorate these cow sculptures which are then displayed in public places around the cities. Following the CowParade exhibits, which lasts several months, the statues are auctioned off and the proceeds donated to charity. It is estimated that so far over $30 million have been raised through auctioning of the cows.
Artists participating are amateurs, professionals as well as renowned artists of all ages.
The big question is always: There are so many animals in the world, why was the cow selected for this famous art event? The official website http://www.cowparade.com/our-story/ gives the answer:
“The cow is a universally beloved animal. The cow represents different things to different people around the world-she’s sacred, she’s historical, she connects us to our past-but the common feeling is one of affection. There is something magical about the cow that transcends throughout the world. She simply makes everyone smile.“
The 2015 CowParade is held in Niseko, Japan. Cows are on display now until October.
The ‘mapping cow’ created by the world famous Chinese artist Wi Weiwei in Paris.
CowParade Holdings Corporation of West Hardford, CT, is the worldwide owner of the CowParade brand, including all the trademarks and other intellectual property.