Coup de Cow

 

Bill Tonnesen is an Arizona-based landscape architect, an artist and maverick. His recent art project, a line of shrouded fiberglass cows at Kopp's Frozen Custard in Glendale, Wisconsin was considered advertising by city planner Nicholas Fuchs and his father, John Fuchs, the city attorney. It was ruled in violation of city signage rules.

Tonnesen, kudos, convinced the city to allow the artwork. (The city council has since passed an ordinance tightening the zoning code.)

Tonnesen decided to make a documentary about the project, including the final scenes of him carrying the last cow (90-115 lbs. depending who you believe) from Chicago, whence the cows were fabricated, to its concrete perch in Glendale. (Note: Glendale is in the Milwaukee metro area. Milwaukee to Chicago is about 80 miles). After shouldering the cow and fighting the elements, Tonnesen opted to put the cow in a cart and push it to Glendale?EUR??,,????'??+stopping along the way to visit with the curious?EUR??,,????'??+all good for film footage. Meanwhile, security cameras guarded the herd of 22 cows as they awaited the final bovine arrival.

Highlights of the pushcart trip included being stopped by the police six times and the confiscation of the cow when Tonnesen and the crew took a food break and chained the cow to an electrical tower. Still, it all worked out. On Sat. Aug. 13, the final cow was in place. Onlookers and employees of the custard stand in uniform (black bow ties, no less) watched the unveiling. Surprise!?EUR??,,????'??+The pushcart cow was black, in contrast to its white brethren.