Art and Economics: The Fearless Girl and the Bull of Wall Street

Wall Street's bull statue, known as the "Charging Bull" located in New York, was designed by Arturo Di Modica after the stock market crash, an important moment in economic history known as "Black Monday". When the Italian sculptor left the statue in front of the New York Stock Exchange building on December 14, 1989, it was appreciated by the public, but the statue was confiscated again by the New York City Police Department because it was left illegally. The statue was so popular that after public protests for its return, the statue was returned to the public through legal means.
 
The meaning of the bull figure is named by the sculptor as "the hope for the strengthening of the American Economy again". Di Modica expressed his thoughts on his famous work stating, “I created this sculpture as a symbol of the American dream. This dream says that everyone can be successful and realize their dreams in this country.” Many protests were organized around the bull statue in 2011 and it became a symbol for many areas such as inequality and justice. The fact that a little girl figure was placed in front of the bull statue creates a symbol of women's independence in the field of economy and finance, signifying gender equality and the struggle for women's greater participation in society. At the foot of the "fearless girl" sculpture prepared by Kristen Visbal, there is a sign that says "Until she is there, stand for her. #FearlessGirl” Therefore, although economy and art are seen as unrelated, economics has and will continue to take its place in every aspect of life, in people's feelings and thoughts, in the search for justice, and in art.

Resources:

https://www.economicultur.com/wall-streetin-bogasi-charging-bull-heykelinin-hikayesi-nedir/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/28/new-york-fearless-girl-charging-bull-wall-street