04/ 03/ 01 Bovine ballyhoo surrounds preview of CowParade art

By MATT CAMPBELL - The Kansas City Star

Puns were as thick as cow pies Tuesday at the American Royal as Kansas City got a preview of hundreds of whimsically decorated fiberglass cows.

"It will be a true cow-munity event," Mayor Kay Barnes said as supporters in Holstein-patterned cowboy hats rang cowbells.

There was talk of papier moo-che and cow-llages. An original "Cowlvador Dali" also was unveiled.

So any doubt that Kansas City would, indeed, have its own parade of public cow art next year -- trailed by a herd of puns -- was moo-ved aside as the first three entries were introduced at a news conference.

Organizers aim to adorn the metropolitan landscape with about 300 painted and decorated cows in a CowParade event that could raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local youth programs.

Previous CowParades have raised millions for charity in Chicago and New York City.

"But we know that our artists in Kansas City are really going to compete quite nicely," said Dan Keegan, director of the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art. "Just looking at these cows here, I think we're going to knock the hoofs off those other cities."

The decorated cows will be displayed outdoors in visible locations across the area from May 15 to Aug. 31. Look for them -- in herds as large as 25 -- from Ward Parkway to Kansas City, Kan., and from Lee's Summit to the Northland.

Finally, on Oct. 6, the cows will be auctioned, and all the money raised will be given to youth cultural programs offered by the Royal, the Kemper Museum and the Kansas City Zoo. An Internet auction also is planned.

Artist Lori Raye Erickson painted her reclining cow with images reminiscent of 1940s magazine ads. On the one flank, two women hold a bottle of milk and a box of gelatin. On the other, a woman holds a raw steak.

Meanwhile, Ethel the cow sports an enigmatic grin.

Erickson, a former Kansas City Art Institute student with a studio in the West Bottoms, also outfitted her cow with leather hoof coverings, metal plates, rivets and protruding dowel rods.

"She's hollow, so it worked out nicely," Erickson said.

Several students at Paseo High School incorporated the themes of painter Salvador Dali on their upright cow. Familiar Dali images, such as drooping clock faces, are being sketched in.

After only a few days' effort, the cow remains a work in progress. A curving Dali mustache will be attached later.

"I love Dali," said senior Mustafaa Ansare. "Surrealism is just really cool to me. It's a mix of traditional realism with a dreamlike state so that it means something without being too literal."

Cartoonist Charlie Podrebarac chose 10 of his favorite "Cowtown" cartoons published over the years in Star magazine to adorn his cow. As part of a barbecue theme, the udder teats are labeled mild and hot.

"These cows are meant to evoke some humor and smiles," said Podrebarac. "I thought this might enhance that. People would come up to the cow instead of moving on. They would study the cow and read the cartoons."

Organizers are rounding up sponsors willing to pay $5,000 for each life-size cow. Sponsors can be businesses, clubs, families or individuals.

Artists then will be selected to decorate the cows based on design ideas submitted to a committee. The only rule is to avoid religious, pornographic or political themes.

The artists will receive a $1,000 stipend, and the rest will pay for the cows and cover organizing costs and logistics, said Patrick Ager of MAI Sports, the marketing company rounding up CowParade sponsors.

"I love the enthusiasm, the happiness and the joy it will bring this community -- and the tourism dollars," said Karen Holland, a CowParade promoter. "But ultimately we want the institutions to benefit from the program."

Interested artists or sponsors may call CowParade at (913) 696-3888 for more information. Design proposals are still being accepted.

To reach Matt Campbell, call (816) 234-4905 or send him an email.

All content © 2001 The Kansas City Star

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