Cow Parade

As many people worried about the end of the world coming, during the summer of 1999, cows took to the streets of Chicago for a moo-ving display of creativity, and a chance for some to thumb their noses at the Y2K scare and recapture the imagination of the nation. The idea came from a Swiss art director, Walter Knapp who was influenced by a similar display of lions in the city of Zurich in 1986. Many cities have followed suit doing their own version of “Cows on Parade.” Cities across the world joined Chicago in this “street art” – moose moseyed into Toronto, Canada; angels ascended in Los Angeles, California; gorillas gamboled in Bristol, UK; elephants were escorted into Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and in Minneapolis artists created Snoopys that strolled the streets in honor of Charles Schultz.

Throughout time, I have had my students take on a similar challenge. We have recreated cows, snowmen, Pandas, and Snoopys – just to name a few. The challenge is always one of having each original to the others in the class. So, to help with that, this year I added a new spin to that the challenge, PUNS! It almost brought some to the “tipping” point I must say, it was an “udderly” perfect idea!