The Charging Bull and The Fearless Girl
Installation art - my favorite kind....in the best place. If it was installed, that means the theme of the piece transcends time...let's overthink it!
Did you know that in the financial district in New York there’s a bronze statue called the ‘Charging Bull’ and across from it stands the ‘Fearless Girl’? Yep - that’s correct!
It’s commonly referred to as the ‘Bull of Wall Street’ and is 11 feet tall, 16 feet long…basically it’s huge. He represents the ‘courage and can do spirit of Americans on Wall Street’.
‘Fearless Girl’ however, stands about 50 cm (that’s like a foot and a half according to Siri *I don’t do math, I write*…hehe) But she was originally placed to ‘send a message’ about gender equality in the workplace. She stares the bull down, despite the difference in size. She was installed much later (2017) on National Women’s day.
Upon simple google search - the bull was sculpted in 1987, installed in 1989… post stock market crash by an artist named Arturo Di Modica. He crafted it as a ‘gift to New York’ and literally placed it under the New York Stock Exchange’s Christmas tree …like Im telling you this man was committed to the notion of gift giving lol.
All together, the bull weighs about three and a half tons - it was a massive project to take on, so Di Modica sculpted it in several pieces, then welded and finished it all together by hand. It took him two years. I’m going to reiterate, he was committed.
In 2022, I’m looking to this dynamic duo for some inspiration.
Here are some of my takeaways from the installation:
*Here’s the website I got some info from*
1.) The girl is…young? She’s not shown as a grown woman…like she’s actually so tiny and one might think she doesn’t stand a chance against the bull (kinda like David and Goliath) - but she doesn’t care…she’s courageous and standing tall
2.) When i’ve seen this in person, I notice (don’t say you wouldn’t notice this too) the balls of the sculpture are the most touched part *you can tell cause it’s shiny af in that spot, bronze is so funny lol* but that kinda gives me the vibes of “grab life by the balls”!
Obviously people just did this for a funny photo:
But because I look so deeply into everything - I had to make meaning of this! The artist didn’t…not include the balls? Like he put them there…and they're big (cannot believe I’m diving so deep into balls rn) but …they exist! lol.
JUST GRAB LIFE BY THE BALLS - OKAY? DON’T BE AFRAID OF ANYTHING…JUST CHARGE AT YOUR DREAMS LIKE THIS HUGE-BALLED-BULL.
NO FEAR.
3.) Even the ‘fearless girl’ isn’t shown being fearful…her name is obviously helping us allude to the fact that she’s not afraid, but without the name..you could guess by her stance, the expression on her face….she’s staring that bull down saying:
‘I AM FEARLESS, I AM CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING MY DREAMS - EVEN THOUGH I’m NOT A BULL WITH HUGE BALLS’
4.) Notice how YEARS went by before they added the fearless girl, I won’t go into detail about the sexism, because that was repaired in 2017 when they added her…BUT it does show that there’s always hope.
The installation was perceived to be finished, complete…but they added her 28 years (once again crossing my fingers hoping that number is correct, I seriously just ask Siri and hope for the best) later - making it better, in every way..especially for young girls out there with Wall Street dreams….or whatever dreams!
Today I’m going to attack my tasks like the fearless girl. I will keep the bulls true vision in my minds eye (the American dream) but just remember it’s okay to do things in my own, tiny girl way!
I AM FEARLESS
What do you guys think of this sculpture? Have you seen it in person….have you touched the balls *hehe*??
Are you going to grab life by the balls?
Venus
Well done. YEARS. DECADES. A DIFFERENT CENTURY! I really like this piece and can relate to it deeply. Most people have a dream. Everyone is afraid. It is wonderful to be reminded of David and Goliath in bi-gender ways! I have not seen the bull and balls up close but I appreciate being taken to the scene! I have heard about the Fearless Girl before, but I haven't seen the significance spelled out as you have done for us. I appreciate all points and the clarity with which you shared with your audience. You don't need no stinkin writing class!
Hello Venus ! I’ve been on vacation , I forgot how too find your email . ✋