Czech artists discover herd instinct

How now, er... blue cow

Some 200 life-sized models of cows have taken up residence in Prague's historic squares and cobbled streets this summer as part of a major public art event, CowParade.

The Czech capital joins Manchester, Stockholm, Harrisburg and three South African cities hosting the event this year.

CowParade was started in the late 1990's by Swiss artist, Pascal Knapp. It has already appeared in a number of cities on several continents, including New York, Sydney and London.

The casts of cows, sponsored by companies, organisations and individuals, are decorated by artists and personalities, as well as by school children.

"Suddenly people see that art can be fun," one of the Czech organizers, Peter Hanig, said.

Prime steers

The Prague event has sparked lively public interest. Many fans have followed the entire cow trail throughout the city, while the daily newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes has organised a cow "beauty contest" for its readers.

The cows check out the city's streets

In pictures

Despite, or perhaps because of its popularity, Prague's CowParade is also attracting vandals. As many as 25 cows have been damaged during the first ten days.

The damaged beasts are taken to the "cow hospital", a special fast repair workshop.

The Prague herd will be further enlarged next month by a group of so-called EU cows, representing individual EU states.

True to its slogan, "For Art, For Charity, For Fun", Prague's CowParade will ultimately benefit charities: an auction of prime Czech steers is being organised by Sotheby's in October.

(Photos by Marian Benes & Lucie Skvorova reproduced with kind permission of Impact PR & Consultancy. Photos by Vladimir Adamczyk reproduced with kind permission)

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