For years, the massive Charging Bull sculpture has greeted tourists in Manhattan’s Wall Street district. It’s served as the backdrop for millions of selfies, many of them cheekily showing off the non-castrated animal’s anatomy from the rear.
But it seems like the seven-thousand-pound sculpture, created by Arturo Di Modica, is getting ready to stampede to a new location, moving on from Bowling Green Park to an area nearer to the New York Stock Exchange.
“We are moving the Bull to protect the safety of New Yorkers,” said a spokesperson for the Mayor’s office in a statement to Artnet News. “We are finalizing a new location by the Stock Exchange.”
The artist is steaming mad.
“I feel very disappointed about the way my sculpture is treated, with nothing but contempt and not the appreciation that should be, since Charging Bull became one of the most visited attractions of New York City,” said Di Modica in a statement given to Artnet News.
He says that the city is concerned about terrorism; they apparently cited a 2017 attack by a man driving a rented truck along the West Side Highway, less than two miles from where Charging Bull stands on a median in the middle of Broadway. In its new proposed location, fewer cars would be able to access the sculpture.
“Regarding the concern of Mayor Bill de Blasio and his position of moving Charging Bull for security reasons, I would like to respond that for 30 years, there were no accidents of any kind next to the sculpture,” says Di Modica.
Arturo Di Modica, Charging Bull (1989). Photo: Cap’n Surly, via Creative Commons.
The artist installed the bull overnight, guerrilla fashion, under a Christmas tree in front of the New York Stock Exchange in December 1989, calling it “a Christmas gift to the city.” For the artist, it signified the city’s resilience during tough economic times. It was impounded by the city until it got the imprimatur of Mayor Ed Koch and Parks Commissioner Henry Stern in an agreement that, says the artist, assured the bull’s location in perpetuity.
That’s not the only reason the artist objects.
“I would like to remind there is a control of my copyright and trademark of Charging Bull, he says. “Charging Bull cannot be used for any commercial purpose without my formal permission. NYSE is a company and placing Charging Bull there will void my copyright and trademark turning Charging Bull into the New York Exchange Bull.” The Stock Exchange is owned by Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange.
The creature has become embroiled in previous public debates, including in 2017, when the life-size sculpture Fearless Girl appeared across from the bull on the eve of International Women’s Day. First thought to have been placed there in another guerrilla operation, the sculpture, by artist Kristen Visbal, was soon unmasked as the brainchild of ad agency McCann New York and investment firm State Street Global Advisors as part of a campaign to land more women on corporate boards. (Spoiler alert: State Street turned out to be not so great when it came to gender or racial equity.)
The arrival of Fearless Girl irked Di Modica, who maintains that the bronze lass turned his own sculpture into part of an ad campaign. He took legal action, retaining none other than civil rights crusader Normal Siegel to represent him. That led in turn to a tweeted criticism by Mayor Bill di Blasio, accusing Di Modica of not liking “women taking up space.” Ultimately, to better accommodate the crowds there headed there just to see her, the Girl moved to a spot across from the NYSE. (That means Charging Bull’s relocation would put the beast close, again, to his nemesis.)
The bull also recently fell victim to a bizarre attack, with a truck driver gashing it with a metal banjo (yes, really) while wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the Ten Commandments. In October, the bull was doused in fake blood and surrounded by protesters with the climate-change activist group Extinction Rebellion, some of whom staged a die-in, claiming that Wall Street profits come at the expense of climate refugees and mortalities.
“In this last 30 years, Bowling Green was and is the perfect home of Charging Bull, and I’m not approving Charging Bull being moved,” Di Modica said, “least of all to the New York Stock Exchange,”
The proposal will be presented at a future Public Design Commission Meeting.
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FAQs
The Artist Behind Wall Street's 'Charging Bull' Is Seeing Red Over a Plan to Remove the Sculpture From the Financial Hub. Arturo Di Modica isn't buying the city's explanation for moving his 'Charging Bull' to a spot outside the New York Stock Exchange.
Who is the artist of The Bull of Wall Street? ›
The bull was sculpted by artist Arturo Di Modica in the aftermath of the 1987 stock market crash, and publicly installed in 1989 at the end of Broadway and near Wall Street.
What does the bull symbolize in Wall Street? ›
What Does the Charging Bull Represent? The bull in finance represents optimism and growth. The statute on Wall Street represents the same ideas; those of financial growth and prosperity associated with America, Wall Street, and New York City.
What does the Charging Bull statue represent and why do people want to touch it? ›
The 7,100-pound (3,200 kg) bronze sculpture, standing 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and measuring 16 feet (4.9 m) long, depicts a bull, the symbol of financial optimism and prosperity. Charging Bull is a popular tourist destination that draws thousands of people a day, symbolizing Wall Street and the Financial District.
What is the meaning of the bull sculpture? ›
Strength and Power:
One of the primary symbols associated with bull statues is strength and power. The muscular physique and imposing stature of the bull evoke a sense of awe and admiration, symbolizing the ability to overcome challenges and obstacles with resilience and determination.
What does the bull represent in the painting? ›
A natural depiction of the bull would express strength, fierceness, fearlessness, and virility, or possibly some variation of these characteristics. However. ln some cases, the bull has been used as a motif or a means to express something other than the bull itself.
What happened to the bull on Wall Street? ›
The iconic “Charging Bull” sculpture will move from its current place in Bowling Green. City officials said that safety concerns were behind the move. The statue has been the site of controversy and protests over the years.
What does the Red Bull symbolize? ›
If you didn't know, the Red Bull symbol represents work ethic. A bull symbolizes strength, confidence, stability, and stamina. In some countries, the bull symbol can also symbolize fertility, farming, teamwork, and helpfulness. The two bulls also convey the effects of what happens after drinking the beverage.
What did the bull symbolize? ›
Throughout history and across various cultures, the bull has been a powerful symbol of strength, tenacity, and fertility. This majestic creature's symbolism is deeply ingrained in our spiritual and cultural consciousness, offering a rich tapestry of meanings that resonate with many.
What does the bull represent in finance? ›
bull market, in securities and commodities trading, a rising market. A bull is an investor who expects prices to rise and, on this assumption, purchases a security or commodity in hopes of reselling it later for a profit. A bullish market is one in which prices are generally expected to rise. Compare bear market.
Some believe that touching or rubbing the bull's testicl*s will bring good luck, especially financial luck. Over time, this act has become a popular ritual for tourists, leading to the common sight of people standing in line to take a photo with, or touch, that particular part of the statue.
Is the bull on Wall Street baal? ›
The Baal (golden bull) is the same as the 7,100 bronze bull statue in new York in the financial district, same as the “bull run” when stocks and crypto or anything go up in price significantly.
What is the story behind the bull in New York? ›
For two years, SoHo artist Arturo Di Modica had been working on his bronze and stainless steel sculpture out of his studio. The artwork was created in response to the 1987 stock market crash. According to Di Modica's assistant at the time, it was a way for him “to encourage everybody to realize America's power.”
What is the Charging Bull quote? ›
If you can't bring down the charging bull, then don't wave the red cape at it. Alfred Pennyworth : How do you know your team's strong enough? If you can't bring down the charging bull, then don't wave the red cape at it.
What is the meaning of emblem bull? ›
The bull represents hard work and steadfastness, while the horse represents loyalty, speed, and energy. The bell-shaped lotus beneath the abacus has been omitted. Forming an integral part of the emblem is the motto inscribed below the abacus in Devanagari script: Satyameva Jayate (Sanskrit: सत्यमेव जयते; lit.
What is the sacred bull symbol? ›
The bull was an important animal in Cretan culture, with its presence felt in various forms of art and visual culture. Depictions of the animal vary, with some showcasing the bull as a symbol of strength and fertility, while others emphasized its connection to divine power.
Who was the famous bull painter? ›
Pablo Picasso's The Bull is a series of eleven lithographs created in 1945. It depicts the bull at various stages of abstraction.
Who is the big bull of Wall Street? ›
The Charging Bull (also referred to as the Wall Street Bull) is a massive 7,100-pound bronze sculpture located in the Financial District in New York City. At 11 feet tall and 16 feet long, the aggressive bull is an unmistakable tribute to power and prosperity.
Who is the artist called bull? ›
Simon Bull is a British born artist now residing in California. He has enjoyed international success for his vibrant artwork. Simon's paintings are rooted in a deep understanding of the flows and rhythms of the natural world.
Who made the Charging Bull sculpture? ›
Arturo Di Modica (January 26, 1941 – February 19, 2021) was an Italian sculptor, widely known for his Charging Bull sculpture. English sculptor Henry Moore nicknamed Di Modica “the young Michelangelo” after they met in Italy in the 1960s.
