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This is a really interesting case, since it seems like it really goes down to artistic integrity. The 'Charging Bull' statue seems to be pro-capitalism - which

This is a really interesting case, since it seems like it really goes down to artistic integrity. The 'Charging Bull' statue seems to be pro-capitalism - which might not be a popular statement, but seems like a reasonable one to want to make. By adding the 'Fearless Girl' to the mix, it changes the meaning of 'Charging Bull'. I mean, if someone added a 'Camera' statue to the mix that looked up the girl's skirt, that could be a valid statement about something (objectification of women, for example). But we'd be outraged about the change of the meaning to 'Fearless Girl' - and so I think it's at least interesting to talk about the change in the meaning of 'Charging Bull'.

gdulli 10y ago
We wouldn't be outraged because of artistic integrity. We'd be outraged because it would be in bad taste, despite the anti-objectification intent of the artist. There would be no outrage about a more neutral installation. The original artist might object, but unless they own the land is there any protection of their artistic intent in the law?
anigbrowl 10y ago
Yes it does change the meaning of the work. (There's a fine tradition of this in the arts, most famously around the work of Duchamp but less obviously with many others through history.) Personally I've never liked Charging Bull as an artwork - tis' too propagandistic for my taste, and I think the creator half-assed it by not exploring the equally powerful concept of an angry bear - and then we wonder why people on Wall Street profess surprise and helplessness in times of recession. I think it's an interesting modification to the work to confront the bull with a human female; not only does it finally balance the work, but by choosing an oppositional figure whose identity is rooted in self-awareness rather than atavistic force, it refutes the abdication of moral agency that underpins the business culture of Wall Street. Assuming it's not destroyed by vandals, the new work has the potential for historical significance.
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gdulli 10y ago

We wouldn't be outraged because of artistic integrity. We'd be outraged because it would be in bad taste, despite the anti-objectification intent of the artist. There would be no outrage about a more neutral installation. The original artist might object, but unless they own the land is there any protection of their artistic intent in the law?

anigbrowl 10y ago

Yes it does change the meaning of the work. (There's a fine tradition of this in the arts, most famously around the work of Duchamp but less obviously with many others through history.) Personally I've never liked Charging Bull as an artwork - tis' too propagandistic for my taste, and I think the creator half-assed it by not exploring the equally powerful concept of an angry bear - and then we wonder why people on Wall Street profess surprise and helplessness in times of recession. I think it's an interesting modification to the work to confront the bull with a human female; not only does it finally balance the work, but by choosing an oppositional figure whose identity is rooted in self-awareness rather than atavistic force, it refutes the abdication of moral agency that underpins the business culture of Wall Street. Assuming it's not destroyed by vandals, the new work has the potential for historical significance.

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