For my redesign of the Charging Bull monument, I wanted to emphasize the lack of transparency within the stock market, as well as show the tourists viewing the monument the reflection of greed and consumerism. To do this, I decided I wanted to make an arrow that resembled a stock market arrow. The arrow is pointing upwards and towards the New York Stock Exchange and from the transparent side, you can see it is filled with money. I chose to have the arrow pointing upwards and filled with money because when the stock prices are rising, capitalists are making money. I wanted to create a close link with my monument to the stock market and capitalism. The two sides of the arrow would be made of steel. I want it to look like the two sides are separate because they often feel that way. I think if people are to really think about the monument and its meaning they can come to their own conclusions on whether they are separate or not. The reverse side of the monument would be mirrored to show the viewer’s reflection. I wanted to show the viewer that not quite everything related to capitalism and consumerism should be blamed on those related to the stock market. The consumers are the same people going to visit the bull to touch its backside for greedy purposes of receiving ‘good fortune.’ Many of these people are also going to the monument without knowing anything about it. There are so many people who visit the monument just because it is famous and to post pictures online. These people post photos of them touching the bull’s backside in hopes that they will receive good fortune, especially in terms of capital wealth. I want these people to think about how they are impacted by the stock market and what capitalism means for them and the people around them. I want people to think to themselves if they really know what is going on in the stock market and the New York Stock Exchange, just a few blocks away.
