Cow Parade 2011

The cow parade returns to Rio this year, with 60 cows having been selected to be exhibited all over the city from the 28^th September until the 27^th November.

The cow parade is one of the largest and most successful public art events in the world. Life-size fibreglass cows are decorated by local artists and those selected are distributed in public places throughout the city such as subway stations and parks. After being exposed for many months they are auctioned, and the money given to charity. Since 1999 the cow parade has been staged in many cities throughout the world, including London, New York and Tokyo. More than 5000 artists have participated in the Cow parade, and over $22 million raised for charity. The average event has between 75 and 150 cows.

The cow has been chosen as it is a universally loved animal, representing different things to different people around the world. For the purpose of art, the cow has been chosen as the representative animal because of its range and flexibility. The three forms; standing, grazing and lying, provide angles and curves to produce unique works of art. Artists have included both amateurs and professionals. Famous artists who have created cows have included Oliviero Toscani and designer Vivienne Westwood.