Coming soon to a city near you - a Cow Parade! The event - for which local artists make fiberglass cows to raise money for charity - has already made its way through New York, Edinburgh, Sydney and Barcelona. Sixty cows are currently positioned at various locations in Paris. After June 30, the Paris cows will be auctioned, with all proceeds going to Africa Alive, a youth AIDS prevention initiative.
This week's Poetry Thursday prompt, "Are you listening?" is to eavesdrop on conversations, then write a poem about what was said. While walking in Paris, I overheard snatches of French conversation about what artists may have had in mind when producing their cows for the parade entry.
Les Temps Modernes was designed by French artist Frederic Perimon. It is on display at Saint Sulpice.
No longer the venerable dairy farm resident
Chewing my cud in an idyllic country dream,
I've taken my moxie and moved to the city
where they appreciate several varieties of cream!
My ice cream makes every child scream with delight
I'm also quite popular with lovers of cheese;
Some Parisiens prefer my rich double cream
They're always exclaiming, "Could I have more, please!"
Men's Agitat Molen, designed by artist Frederic Perimon is on display in the 6th arrondisement. Hundreds of metal spoons are applied to the sculpture.
A heavy metal punkster
Can they really allow
such a subversive image
to advertise a gentle cow?
Vachroom Graffiti was designed by artist Agnes Vidrequin. It is on display at the Carrefour de la Croix Rouge in the 6th arrondisement.
A symbol of amitie and liberte*
on the side of a cow?
Just watch the reactions -
won't that spark a row?!!
*Friendship and freedom
Hi, found your blog via 52 Projects, great to see the Paris cows, we have them in Edinburgh at the moment and I'm trying to get round as many as I can.
Posted by: Katherine | 11 June 2006 at 18:09
Cow parade for charity. Great concept! Love the pictures and charming verse.
Posted by: jinxthegypsy | 10 June 2006 at 07:21
very cool, we have had a similar art display with salmon in my hometown.
Posted by: jennifer | 09 June 2006 at 16:48
delightful verse and
Vive la vache!
Posted by: susan | 08 June 2006 at 23:09
LOL Now this will capture the most creative piece this week. Loved the spoons :)
Posted by: Tammy | 08 June 2006 at 18:49
Thank you for using this project as your subject. I remember seeing a similar project a few years' ago that was done with giant teddy bears, but I wasn't aware of this one. I always enjoy seeing what different artists do when presented with the same starting point. Good job!
Posted by: Dani | 08 June 2006 at 14:33
(first, I'm still drooling over those store windows in your last post. OH MY, to be rich and in Paris!) The cows, I've seen them in a few cities now, and weird as it is as a concept, they're always a delight to see. They were especially incongruous in Prague!
Posted by: Laini | 08 June 2006 at 08:17
Ah, that was fun to read. What a bizarre way to raise money for AIDS prevention.
and, how hilarious is Tinker's comment? Seriously.
Posted by: Krista | 08 June 2006 at 04:52
i saw these cows in nyc, but i think i would love them even more in paris. i dream of travelling back to paris someday, and enjoy your posts so much - thank you!
Posted by: heidi | 08 June 2006 at 04:18
love your rhyming words !!
Posted by: diana | 08 June 2006 at 04:09
Tara,
I so love your blog for your beautiful imagery and words. Thanks for visting my blog.
Posted by: yolanda | 08 June 2006 at 03:58
I live in NYC and I've seen the cows around, they are immense yet so beautifully created, I love art so seeing these pictures makes me appreciate them more. I'm glad I stopped by. A bientot
Posted by: cathy | 08 June 2006 at 01:12
In 2000 artists in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky created pigs that were slightly smaller than the cows you show here. The pigs could be found all over the city and were later auctioned off. The money went to various charities...Some people enjoyed the pigs and some didn't. In the end the auction produced over 800,000 dollars.
Posted by: Jennifer (she said) | 07 June 2006 at 19:38
I loved your poem--how you pulled in everything around you. Such fun...also had to mention the inherent strangeness of where I live--we had a similar thing, but it was with dinosaurs. What exactly are we trying to say, hmmm?
Posted by: C. Delia | 07 June 2006 at 19:36
Oh I just love your poetry! I have written two poems but would not have the nerve to post..I guess in time I may.I just had a lunch of Parisien
double creamed cheese and yes I had more! In Toronto Canada a few years ago they featured Moose created by artists and positioned them throughout the city just like your "cows." Many still remain today. Now back to my little adventure could we not sit and write forever in that enchanted forest!!
Posted by: naturegirl | 07 June 2006 at 19:34
Wow!
Colorful pictures with beautiful words..a treat for the eyes..
Cows deserve a raise or two..you have done it through your beautiful poems..
Posted by: abhay | 07 June 2006 at 18:06
Well, I like this one best!
:)
Posted by: amber | 07 June 2006 at 17:35
Great photos, Tara! We had moose all over Toronto.
Posted by: Colette | 07 June 2006 at 17:31
Oh your poetry made me smile! We had horses in N.M. - the painted ponies.
Posted by: Kara | 07 June 2006 at 16:18
Such cows were all over Modesto (up the road from me) a few years ago and were auctioned off. Such fun to see them. Recently, there was such an auction for altered cellos. My vet bid on and won one of them. A local realtor has one in their window. Beautiful, fanciful, fun works and all for charity.
Posted by: Annie | 07 June 2006 at 16:14
A cow with moxie, eh? Now there are two words I'd never think to put in the same sentence!!
The cows look like fun. (We had pigs here a few years ago and it did create a surreal atmosphere.) Will you be buying one?!!
Posted by: ally bean | 07 June 2006 at 16:10
Oh, these poems are delightful. A cow parade came through Kansas City a few years ago, but the cows weren't as nifty as the ones pictured here.
Posted by: Lynn | 07 June 2006 at 15:20
What fun! And what clever poetry. We see cows like this from time to time here, too (and little miniature ones in gift shops all over the place).
Posted by: boliyou | 07 June 2006 at 14:36
I love the cows; have seen them in their various US locales and your poem is delightful; I love a good rhyme.
Posted by: kristen | 07 June 2006 at 14:35
Oh, Tara, what moo-ving poetry you write!
Even though I haven't read any other Poetry Thursday entries yet, I'm predicting this will be the cream of the crop :-)
Posted by: tinker | 07 June 2006 at 14:19