Chicago Sun-Times

Brassy bull vs. gutsy girl: There’s war on Wall Street

Creator of NYC icon sees red over gender diversity upstart

- Mary Bowerman and Kevin McCoy USA TODAY Network

Charging Bull is ready to rumble with Fearless Girl.

The sculptor who created the iconic Charging Bull statue in New York City’s financial district says the city and an investment company violated his rights by installing the newly popular Fearless Girl near his creation without permission for what amounts to a commercial ad campaign.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday in Manhattan, Arturo Di Modica, 76, said he installed the bull in front of the New York Stock Exchange in 1987 as a symbol of America’s resilience after the stock market crash that year. The city later relocated the sculpture to a small public park nearby.

“The bull represents strength,” Di Modica said. “The

“What they did, it’s a negative.” Now, the message is: “I’m here. What are you going to do?”

Charging Bull sculptor Arturo Di Modica, on the symbolism of the newly popular Fearless Girl and its placement near his creation.

strength of America, the strength of the market.”

In the years since, Charging Bull has become one of the city’s most popular attraction­s, drawing tourists from all over the world.

Fearless Girl, with hands confidentl­y placed on hips, was installed in front of the bull on the eve of last month’s annual commemorat­ions of Internatio­nal Women’s Day. Bostonbase­d State Street Global Advisors has said it commission­ed the artwork as part of its call on behalf of the more than 3,500 companies that benefit from its clients’ investment­s to ensure that corporate governing boards feature diversity.

Created by artist Kristen Visbal, the new sculpture virtually overnight became a symbol of a lack of gender diversity and equality on Wall Street and in workplaces across the USA.

Now, along with flocking to Di Modica’s creation, tourists vie to take selfies with Fearless Girl and other photos that showcase the young beauty staring down the beast. A petition from change. org attracted thousands of signatures that asked for

Fearless Girl to remain permanentl­y. By March 27, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed that Fearless Girl would remain on Department of Transporta­tion property as a part of a municipal art program through February 2018.

Many hailed the announceme­nt. But not Di Modica. He argued that

Fearless Girl was part of an advertisin­g campaign that altered the artistic message behind Charging Bull without his permission.

“What they did, it’s a negative,” Di Modica said. Now, Fearless Girl’s message is “I’m here. What are you going to do?”

Attorneys for Di Modica said a plaque initially placed with Fearless

Girl demonstrat­ed the commercial nature of the new installati­on. The plaque stated: “Know the power of women in leadership. SHE makes a difference.” The “she” in the message referred to the financial trading symbol for a State Street Global Advisors exchange- traded fund.

By positionin­g one sculpture near the other, everything changes, to Di Modica’s detriment, said attorney Norman Siegel, former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union.

“The statue of the young girl becomes the Fearless Girl only because of the Charging Bull: The work is incomplete without Mr. Di Modica’s

Charging Bull, and as such it constitute­s a derivative work,” Siegel and other attorneys wrote in a letter Tuesday to Ronald O’Hanley, president and CEO of the investment firm.

Similar letters went to de Blasio and McCann Worldwide, the company lawyers said developed an ad campaign for Fearless Girl.

State Street Global Advisors spokeswoma­n Anne McNally said the company was reviewing the letter from Di Modica’s attorneys. The company thanked New York City residents and “people around the world who have responded so enthusiast­ically to what the Fearless Girl represents — the power and potential of having more women in leadership.”

Representa­tives of the mayor’s office and ad company did not immediatel­y respond to requests seeking comment.

But a tweet Wednesday from de Blasio’s official Twitter account said: “Men who don’t like women taking up space are exactly why we need the Fearless Girl.”

Siegel said Di Modica seeks an “amicable” solution in which Fearless

Girl is moved and Charging Bull’s creator is paid damages.

 ?? MARK LENNIHAN, AP ?? Fearless Girl staked her claim in front of Charging Bull on the eve of Internatio­nal Women’s Day last month.
MARK LENNIHAN, AP Fearless Girl staked her claim in front of Charging Bull on the eve of Internatio­nal Women’s Day last month.
 ?? CRAIG RUTTLE AP ?? Arturo Di Modica, who’s known for fiercely protecting his creation, says the presence of Fearless Girl has altered the artistic message behind his work.
CRAIG RUTTLE AP Arturo Di Modica, who’s known for fiercely protecting his creation, says the presence of Fearless Girl has altered the artistic message behind his work.

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