Melbourne Daily Photo

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Waltzing Australia

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Holy Cow !

 
Above: Cow up a Tree
This striking and unusual art created by John Kelly was originally installed at Docklands in February 2001, and later dismantled and stored so that construction works to lower the wharf could be undertaken. It was then reinstalled in 2003.

This iconic sculpture is made of five tonnes on patinated bronze and is eight metres high. You may think the sight of a cow stuck up a tree rather curious and surreal but the absurd vision of a cow being stuck up a tree is based on reality. The inspiration comes from the Australian landscape and a water based theme. Australian floods are often violent and it is not unknown for cattle to be swept into trees whilst floods are ascending only to be stranded once they subside. The artist witnessed this occurring in the Gippsland area of Victoria.


Today's quote: I gotta go Julia, we got cows ~ Melissa in Twister

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

A sculpture that fascinates children and tourists as they pass by on the City Circle tram.

Lowell said...

You gotta be kidding! A cow tossed up in a tree by a storm and left there. That's funny but scary at the same time.

Maybe that's where the saying came from, "Don't have a cow, man!" :-)

brattcat said...

poor holstein.

Hilda said...

I was about to say that I thought the sculpture fun, but after reading your explanation, I don't think so anymore. I still like it, though.

Unknown said...

The coolest cow I've seen lately! :-)

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.