MONDAY,AUG.20,2001
OFFTHE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 15D
Bovine beauties parade through Plaza
Cows to be auctioned on Internet after display ends
by Luke Wetzel Kansan staff writer
This April, Amy Carlson's career as a muralist and illustrator led her somewhere she never imagined she'd be — a giant warehouse full of bubblewrapped fiberglass cattle.
The warehouse on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., held hundreds of the bovine-looking creatures that were actually blank canvasses for artists who were allowed to select from three cow poses: standing, grazing and reclining.
"It was kind of surreal going in there," Carlson said. "You didn't know they were cows, they were so wrapped up."
Carlson is one of six Lawrence artists who lent their talent to CowParade Kansas City 2001. The cattle, which were sponsored by various businesses and organizations, will be on display throughout the Kansas City area through Sept. 14.
Once the more than 300 cows are removed, they will be auctioned live and on the Internet, with part of the proceeds benefiting the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, The American Royal and Friends of the Zoo. Previous CowParades took place in Chicago in 1999 and New York City in 2000.
Carlson's cow, titled "Cowmelot," is a grazing cow
adorned with a fleur-de-lis-covered cape and helmet. Carlson said her idea grew from interest in medieval costumes and armor.
"You know, they used to dress their horses up, so I thought I'd see what this stuff looked like on a cow," she said. "I submitted the proposal the day before the deadline because I forgot about it. I thought, 'I'll just slam this thing together and see what happens.'"
After learning her design was selected, Carlson was given $1,000 and about a month to complete it. She made the cape by sewing together fiberglass screens and screwing them to the cow, then adding layers of fiberglass resin for the desired finish. Carlson, who has also completed public art at Pinckey Elementary school, 810 W. Sixth St., and at the East Lawrence Community Center, 1245 E. 15th St., said the short duration and visibility of the cow parade made it unique from other displays.
"I just like it because people who don't usually pay attention to art can enjoy it," she said.
Dave Loewenstein, a professional muralist who has completed public art in Northern Ireland as well as Lawrence, also completed a cow for the parade.
His cow, the "Co-walligator", features a naked artist painting in the belly of an alligator. Loewenstein said the limitations and copyright-forfeiture imposed by the CowParade corporation prompted him to design his cow in a satirical manner.
"You know, they used to dress their horses up, so I thought I'd see what this stuff looked like on a cow." Amy Carlson Lawrence artist
"To me, a Co-walligator is somebody or something that does a poor job of masking its bad intentions," he said. "It's a wolfin
sheep's clothing kind of thing."
Loewenstein said the CowParade caused a stir among those who saw cows as the lowest-common denominator of public art. He said a group of artists even approached the Kansas City commission, asking them to spend money on other artistic projects instead.
"I appreciate both points of view," he said. "I'm glad I did it in the long run, although a lot of my artist friends are giving me hell for it. It's getting a lot of people out walking around looking at something that takes some creative output."
Lawrence illustrator and KU graduate Kristin Dempsey said she wanted a design that would appeal to Kansas City. What she came up with was a playful twist on the Kansas City barbecue legacy.
Her cow features fruits, vegetables and coffee on a yellow background.
"I decided to do a cow that had no meat on it-and by that I don't mean a skeleton." she said.
Dempsey said friends have paid more attention to her cow
Cowalligator
Dave Loewestein
Shawnee Mission Park
than any other project she has done.
Dempsey said the unusual shape and uneven surface of the cow made her project more consuming than she predicted. She also had to use acrylic paints instead of oil paints because of the drying time. Despite the obstacles, Dempsey said she was pleased with the result of her month-long effort.
"It certainly has created quite a stir," she said. "They have succeeded in making themselves quite visible."
Wetzel can be reached at 864-4810 or writer@kansan.com.
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