Fearless Girl Versus the Charging Bull
On March 7th, 2017, a 50″ tall bronze statue of a youthful young girl was installed in Manhattan’s financial district. The work, created by Kristen Visbal, an American sculptor, sits directly in the pathway of the famous Charging Bull, an eleven foot tall, seven thousand pound sculpture by Arturo Di Modica. That Charging Bull, over time, has become symbolic of American exceptionalism and is known worldwide, often being used symbolically by the media on positive news from the Stock Market; a “Bull” market, is a rising market which encourages investing.
It was originally cast following the 1987 stock market crash, not as a commissioned work, but as a Christmas gift to the people of New York by the creator, even though it cost him nearly $400,000 to produce. The city of New York wasn’t pleased with him dropping it off under the Christmas tree however. After some legal wrangling it was moved to the plaza at Bowling Green, where it remains today.
The addition of the Fearless Girl statue has stirred controversy with Arturo Di Modica, as it seems to challenge his work. He’s been very vocal about his thoughts and how the addition distorts his work and infringes on his artistic vision. The group supporting the Fearless Girl piece stands firm in the message of diversity that the statue supposedly presents. Either way, it looks to be a long battle between the two artists and the city of New York.
Fearless Girl Versus the Charging Bull
Fearless girl
Defiant
Chin protruding
Hands on hips
Staring down the charging bull
Bronze facing bronze
Separated
But not segregated
Wall Street in the midst
The tiny girl
Her message enormous
But the charging bull remains
Implications
Interpretations
Artistic integrity
Rising stakes and rising tempers
Conflict looming
Over message distortion
Diversity challenging
The old boys clubs
Questioning
Messaging
Analyzing
Past rights versus present ones
Another crack
In the glass ceiling
Or a violation
Iconically
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Great piece, Ralph. I am not sure I like the Fearless Girl statue, staring in defiance of the Bull which symbolizes the “strength and power of the American people”. I do understand the importance of women in the work place, but must it be in challenge of what the bull symbolizes? Fearless Girl was misplaced – it belongs in a place where it is making a better impact.Where it is now is showing to the world one of the many stupid mistakes the women’s movement has made. I am certainly not against the importance and power of women, but good grief, this movement needs some qualified, intelligent women with positive ideas to organize it Great poem, Ralph. Well done.
fascinating circumstance, the challenging of artistic vision and two artists in opposed views. I actually like the idea and in the end, it will make more controversy and more attention to this already famous site. Nice work Ralph.
I actually think it was a brilliant idea of the artist to create a defiant young girl fearlessly facing off against the huge bull ready to charge. I can see how Di Modica would be unimpressed but that’s life. Great poem and commentary as always, Ralph.
It’s interesting how this addition has changed the micro-environment of the area – The symbolism of the Charging Bull has been diminished and perhaps permanently damaged by the “challenge” of the Fearless Girl. I also believe that the message of workplace diversity doesn’t come across fully with the piece. Regardless of the outcome, it certainly succeeded in creating dialogue on a number of important topics.
Loved the poem and commentary my friend… awesome work..