Wall Street bull statue up for sale

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1547&ncid=1547&e=1&u=/afp/20041220/lf_afp/afplifestyleusbull_041220153051

Wall Street's famous "Charging Bull" statue, a symbol of unbridled capitalism and a major tourist draw, has been put up for sale, with bidding expected to start at five million dollars.

The Wall Street Journal on Monday reported that artist Arturo Di Modica, who sculpted the 7,000-pound (3,175 kilo), 16-foot (five-meter) bronze had decided to sell his creation to the highest bidder.

Di Modica, who put 360,000 dollars of his own money into the work that was inspired by the 1987 market crash, has put some strict conditions on the sale.

Not only can the statue not be moved from its current location in the heart of New York City's financial district, but the purchaser must also donate his new acquisition to the city. In return, the buyer will get a tax break, branding rights and his or her name on a plaque -- signed by Di Modica -- that will be placed near the statue.

[Zenlitened]

1. I've seen that statue. It's anatomically accurate and you'd be surprised..

... at what people will rub for good luck!

:D

[da_chimperor]

2. The left ear?

:D

[Zenlitened]

5. That's exactly right!

Well, at least for the Ferengi tourists, anyway...



:D

[da_chimperor]

6. LOL n/t

[Historic NY]

12. I took some photos of friends, with those attributes showing up....

behind them.....I figured it would send them over the edge when they developed their film.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. What do you want to bet Donald Trump will buy it ? and put his

name on that part that people rub for good luck...

[aquart]

11. Donald doesn't have the money. He's all show.

[Algorem]

4. the artist decided to give the buyer a tax break?

he's getting 5+ mil for his $360,000 and the taxpayer's will end up paying for it and the buyer gets a plaque(for public relations,prestige,advertising,ego,all that crap) and their money back?What's the deal?

[KittyWampus]

13. The Artist Deserves Financial Compensation. That's Numero Uno

as a fellow artist... I have no qualm at the price.

Number Two- as the owner, the artist is also liable for upkeep, repair and most likely liability.

If someone defaces this stature... the artist has to pay for restorations etc.

Considering the Charging Bull is a public icon, and Wall STreet is an historic district that pulls in tourists... I've no problem with this.

[Algorem]

20. This is a bull deal.It looks like a hard charge to me

[brainshrub]

7. It reminds me of Baal.

Baal

The word Baal means "master" or "owner". In ancient religions the name denoted sun, lord or god.

...snip...

The cult of Baal celebrated annually his death and resurrection as a part of the Canaanite fertility rituals. These ceremonies often included human sacrifice and temple prostitution.

More here: http://www.pantheon.org/articles/b/baal.html

---

On Wall Street the elite sacrifice the poor and prostitute themselves all day. Baal is the perfect money-market deity.

[TahitiNut]

14. Well, it is a 'graven image' ... and invites idolatry.

:shrug:

[Hand]

8. Mene mene tekel upharsin... nt

[TlalocW]

9. Wasn't there something in the Bible about

Worshipping a golden calf/bull?

TlalocW

[Dover]

10. So even the symbol of unbridled capitalism has a price....

Now THAT's Symbolic.

Is this an omen about the future of capitalism and our economy.

[Deja Q]

15. Will they put up a copper bear in its place, which will soon turn green in

embarrassment?

[DBoon]

16. I'd like to see a French buyer for this..

to show Wall Street who really owns them now

[Sleepless In NY]

17. DBoon... that would be priceless!

Can you imagine? LOL! Well after all the French did give us the Statue of Liberty. I'd just love it, if they bought the bull! LOL!

[AndyTiedye]

18. Seems Appropriate

Next year will probably belong to the BEARS.

[mcscajun]

19. Used to walk past that statue on the way home from w**k most days...

...and people climb onto it to have their picture taken..the thing is HUGE!

And yes, it is anatomically correct...to a point <g>.

The nose, other parts of the face, the horns and of course the 'anatomically correct' parts are much brighter than the rest of the bull from constant polishing :)

It looks truly bizarre when you see it up close and personal.

[zann725]

21. This sale is such a 'dark' omen of our stock market & economy.