With hopes of dispensing the "perfect antidote" to the stock market crash of 1987, Italian-born sculptor Arturo Di Modica spent two years creating a 7,000 pound bronze bull statue designed to capture the resilience of the American people.
Under the cover of night and without a permit, he installed his massive "Charging Bull" directly before the New York Stock Exchange, a gift New Yorkers loved but New York City initially hated. Authorities removed it, but later reinstalled it under pressure at a small public park in the financial district.
In the 18 years since, it has become an institution. Then last month, on International Women's Day, a new statue of a symbolically brave "Fearless Girl" stole its spotlight — and, Di Modica says, fundamentally corrupted the artistic integrity of his "Charging Bull."
As "Fearless Girl" was heralded by many as a symbol for female empowerment, Di Modica doled out sharp criticism, casting the statue as a publicity stunt by the gender-oriented company that commissioned it.
He forcefully advocated against a global campaign to make "Fearless Girl" a permanent fixture, but fans persevered, persuading New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to extend the statue's permit through April 2018.
On behalf of his bull, Di Modica won't back down. He said he plans to challenge the city officials who let "Fearless Girl" happen without asking his permission.
"Fearless Girl" debuted on March 7, near the first anniversary of the Gender Diversity Index SHE, which tracks companies that are gender diverse and was created by investment firm State Street Global Advisors.
State Street commissioned Delaware-based artist Kristen Visbal to cast the four-foot bronze girl, who wears a ponytail and a windblown dress, and, with hands on her hips, stares daringly at the beast before her. The project is about "girl power," she said, a message to corporate boards on Wall Street with a dearth of women members "that we are here, that we are heard, that we are permanent."
They also drew inspiration from Di Modica's surprise installment, albeit with a permit, and dropped her off in the middle of the night. The girl quickly became an online sensation, earning praise from Chelsea Clinton and actress Jessica Chastain and drawing its own swarm of women and girls who felt inspired.
Di Modica said that his protest was not meant to snub the importance of gender equality, but to defend the integrity of his bull.
"I put it there for art," he told the publications. "My bull is a symbol for America. My bull is a symbol of prosperity and for strength."
Contrasted with the soft, altruistic characteristics of the bronze girl, though, "Charging Bull" now appears menacing and aggressive.
Visbal praised the sculptor's artistic abilities as "exceptional." "The bull is beautiful, it's a stunning piece of art," Visbal told the New York Post. "But the world changes and we are now running with this bull."
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