12/ 16/ 02 Auckland's First CowParade Event Cow Unveiled

The first painted cow of CowParade Auckland was revealed today at the Auckland Art Gallery as organisers prepare for the parade’s full launch in mid January.

“Pohutucowa”, a cow painted in beautiful Pohutukawa flowers by Onehunga artist Kathy Reid, is the first of 33 cows to be completed.

CowParade organisers Heart of the City say they chose the icon design as it represents Christmas holidays in Auckland, the same time as CowParade will begin.

“It seemed fitting that the first cow to be painted for CowParade Auckland featured something distinctively Kiwi,” says Heart of the City Marketing Manager Liz Smith.

Artist Kathy Reid, currently studying Psychology and Fine Arts at Auckland University and Elam says her design was inspired by the natural delights of the Pohutukawa.

“Their unabashed, bold beauty, to be seen throughout Auckland, is a Christmas gift to all who live here.”

“I felt that I wanted to celebrate this wonderfully colourful and natural geographical feature of Auckland by reflecting it in my cow design,” says Kathy.

Pohutucowa, flanked by a dozen ‘nude’ cows, was revealed to artists, businesses and media at the Auckland Art Gallery. Mayor John Banks, the official patron of CowParade Auckland, introduced the herd to the guests.

“This is a big event for Auckland, and is a ‘must do’ activity this summer. We are very lucky to have such an internationally regarded art exhibition in Auckland, and I look forward to seeing the herd grazing Auckland’s streets,” says Mayor Banks.

“Following on the back of successful CowParades in New York, London, Chicago and Sydney, this event is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Auckland,” says Liz Smith.

“It will be the largest, and certainly most unique, art event ever seen in this country.”

CowParade Auckland is the opportunity for local artists and businesses to work together on a very different project. Companies can adopt a cow and then select a design from a growing portfolio of ideas being submitted by New Zealand artists, or create their own.

“Both the business and art community are giving their full support to the Parade. Two-thirds of the first herd of 33 cows have been adopted by companies and we invite others to get involved in this four month event,” says Liz Smith.

From January 20 it’s moove over Aucklanders as the herd of painted, costumed, festooned and whimsically transformed cows take to the city streets of Auckland’s CBD.

“We anticipate CowParade Auckland 2003 will be a great public display of bovine art that everyone can enjoy. A visit to the American Express Viaduct Harbour to see the America’s Cup will now include the opportunity to take a walk around the CBD and see some of the ‘udderly’ fabulous artistic talent we have in this country,” says Liz Smith.

At the conclusion of the parade in April, a number of cows will be sold at a charity auction with the net proceeds benefiting the charity Youthtown.

Beginning in Zurich in 1998, CowParade then mooved to Chicago (1999) and New York (2000) and enjoyed great success with more than 44 million people viewing the New York event. Other cities to have hosted their own CowParade include Stamford - Connecticut, West Orange - New Jersey, Kansas City - Missouri, Houston - Texas, Ventspils - Latvia, London - England, Sydney - Australia, Las Vegas - Nevada and San Antonio - Texas!

For further information contact:
Liz Smith, Marketing Manager, Heart of the City
Phone: 379 8000

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