Thema A
The Ongoing Saga of the ‘Fearless Girl’ Statue
by Sheelah Kolhatkar
source: private
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On Tuesday, December 14th, the artist Kristen Visbal gathered with a group of activists and
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local politicians next to her most recognizable work, the “Fearless Girl” statue, which sits
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opposite the New York Stock Exchange. The statue depicts a little girl standing defiantly, with
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her hands on her hips, and was initially placed in front of the “Charging Bull” statue, a few
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blocks away, though it was eventually moved to its current location, on Broad Street. Visbal’s
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statue was sponsored by the asset-management firm State Street Global Advisors as part of
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a campaign to promote the company’s commitment to gender equality. The permit allowing the
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statue to sit on city property had expired two weeks before the event; Visbal was trying to
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pressure the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, which was meeting to discuss the
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matter that day, to extend the permit. Standing behind a lectern in a long, mustard-colored
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coat, Visbal argued that her sculpture was about more than a company’s corporate ambitions.
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She spoke about the importance of equal pay for women, discussed the fight for women’s
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rights in countries such as Afghanistan and India, and made the pitch that the statue was a
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symbol of the global women’s movement. “For the good of society,” Visbal said, “she must
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remain until these principles sink in.”
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The statue has been mired in controversy since it was erected, in 2017. The previous year,
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Visbal was contacted by someone working with the advertising agency McCann, which was
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interested in commissioning a statue of a little girl. The agency intended to place the statue in
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front of the “Charging Bull” to call attention to “the glass ceiling regarding pay and promotion
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of women in the Wall Street community,” Visbal told me when we met in October, and the
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agency wanted it done in less than a month. Visbal did a series of sketches, and settled on an
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image of a girl in a dress and high-tops, with a swinging ponytail. She began to sculpt a model
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out of clay in preparation for casting it in bronze through a process known as lost-wax casting.
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It was at this point, according to court documents, that Visbal learned that State Street, which
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was a client of McCann’s, was sponsoring the statue. The sculpture was installed on March
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7th, ahead of International Women’s Day. The little girl was hailed as a powerful symbol, and
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people lined up next to the statue to take pictures. It was also controversial. One local blogger
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called it an example of “fake corporate feminism.”
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State Street, which is based in Boston, is one of the largest asset-management firms in the
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world, with $3.8 trillion under management. The company employed the “Fearless Girl” statue
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in part to promote a new index fund that purported to support gender diversity in corporate
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senior-leadership roles. In May, after the statue was installed, Visbal and State Street signed
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an agreement outlining their respective rights to the statue. According to court documents,
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State Street owned the trademark of the “Fearless Girl” name. Both parties committed to using
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the statue to further an agreed-upon set of “Gender Diversity Goals.” Visbal was permitted to
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sell copies of the statue, subject to certain restrictions.
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In September, several months after the statue went up, State Street agreed to pay five
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million dollars to settle claims by the U.S. Department of Labor that it had systematically
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discriminated against female and Black employees through unfair pay practices. State Street
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issued a statement at the time disagreeing with the government’s findings and analysis, but
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saying that it was cooperating nonetheless. Yet the settlement raised the possibility that State
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Street’s motivations in sponsoring the “Fearless Girl” statue were more complicated than the
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company had suggested. The government had been scrutinizing State Street’s compensation
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practices for several years; “Fearless Girl” had come along just as the company would have
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been worrying about the effect of the discrimination charges on its reputation. A headline on
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CNN read, at the time, “Awkward! Company behind ‘Fearless Girl’ settles gender pay dispute.”
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Nevertheless, the statue continued to draw crowds of people who spilled into the street. In
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April, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the statue would be moved to its current
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position, outside the stock exchange. [...]
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Michele Bogart, an emeritus professor at Stony Brook University who specializes in the
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history of public art, told me that there had been conflicts surrounding corporate-sponsored
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public art works in New York City before. But the State Street example is “a much balder, more
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cynical, and, to me, revolting case of something that happens with some frequency to artists
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who work in the public realm,” she said. “In other words, artists get jerked around a lot, and
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that’s sad.” She went on to say, though, that she thought the “Fearless Girl” sculpture was,
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from an aesthetic perspective, “awful,” and that Visbal’s credibility was limited. “I don’t doubt
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that this company has taken her for a ride,” Bogart said. “But the fact that she wants to be
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reproducing it in different sizes, and travelling with versions across the United States, is also
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a very commercial thing to do. It’s a self-promotional enterprise – that’s what it boils down to.”
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[...]
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It’s against this messy backdrop that the city faces a decision about the fate of “Fearless
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Girl.” On the day of the Landmarks Preservation Commission meeting, [...] the commission
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voted to renew the “Fearless Girl” permit for three more years; the discussion moves next to
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the city’s Public Design Commission, which may vote on the matter during an upcoming
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meeting. At the event, Cynthia DiBartolo, the founder and C.E.O. of Tigress Financial
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Partners, said that she had worked in the financial industry for thirty years. “She represents
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hope and inspiration for all of us,” DiBartolo said, of the statue. “She is no less a symbol than
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those great American flags flying above the New York Stock Exchange.”
(982 words)
Kolhatkar, S. (2022). The Ongoing Saga of the “Fearless Girl” Statue. The New Yorker. 7 January 2022.
Assignments
1.
Outline the controversies around the ‘Fearless Girl’ statue.
2.
Analyse how the statue and the artist are presented in the text. Focus on use of language and structure.
3.
Choose one of the following tasks.
3.1
“’For the good of society,’ Visbal said, ‘she must remain until these principles sink in.’” (ll. 14–15)
Using the quotation and the excerpt as a starting point, assess to what extent it is still important to raise awareness of gender equality.
or
3.2
You apply for a place in the English-speaking course “Arts, Culture and Media” at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
As part of the application, each student has to write an article, the best of which will then be published in the university’s online magazine. Write the article in which you discuss whether art in public spaces can contribute to making a change in society.
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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text. It must be noted that our conclusions contain only some of the possible aspects. Students can also find a different approach to argumentation.
1.
- Sponsored by State Street Global Advisors to promote gender equality, but the company's 5 million settlement raised doubts about its sincerity.
- Criticised as "fake corporate feminism" to benefit marketing and corporate image.
- The public art expert Michele Bogart criticised the poor artistic quality and commercial motives.
- Its installation coincided with State Street's settlement of a gender discrimination lawsuit, leading to accusations of "corporate feminism."
- Kristen Visbal, the artist, faced restrictions since State Street owned the trademark despite her creation.
- Visbal's sale of the statue's reproductions sparked criticism for commercializing art.
- She faced disputes over the name "Fearless Girl" and the rights to the statue.
- It was originally placed in front of the Charging Bull to symbolise gender diversity on Wall Street.
- Later moved to its current location across from the New York Stock Exchange.
- The statue, as a piece of corporate-sponsored public art, led to debates about the influence of private companies in public spaces.
- Critics questioned the authenticity, commercialization, and true meaning of activism in public art.
- Some dismissed the statue as lacking artistic depth, viewing it as a simplistic and overly commercialized symbol.
2.
The "Fearless Girl" statue and its artist, Kristen Visbal, are presented in the text with a mixture of admiration, scepticism, and criticism. The description alternates between portraying the statue as a symbol of gender equality and questioning the commercial and ethical dimensions of the project.
Introduction
Symbolism and empowerment
- positive imagery
words such as "defiantly" (l.3), "symbol of the global women's movement" (l.14), and "hope and inspiration" (l.67) are used to convey strength and aspiration.
- Descriptions of the statue's pose, "with her hands on her hips" (l.3-4), and the fact that she is facing the New York Stock Exchange emphasise a visual and symbolic confrontation with the traditionally male-dominated financial sector.
- "She is no less a symbol than those great American flags flying above the New York Stock Exchange" (l.67-68) raises its significance to a national level
Main Body
Use of Language
Use of Language
Criticism and scepticism
- critical language
- "Awkward! Company behind ‘Fearless Girl’ settles gender pay dispute." (l.46) this indicates a major contradiction between the statue's message and the company's actions
- irony
Presentation of the Artist
- Visbal is initially portrayed as a passionate advocate, referring to her arguments that the statue is "about more than a company's corporate ambitions" (l.11) and her discussions about "the importance of equal pay for women" (l.12)
- text shifts to a critical perspective, describing Visbal's commercial actions with words such as "self-promotion" (l.59) and "commercial thing to do" (l.59)
- While Visbal is genuinely committed to the message of the statue, her actions to reproduce and commercialise the statue may undermine its credibility.
Impact of the Title
- "Fearless Girl" immediately creates a distinct and memorable identity for the statue, ensuring it stands out in public discourse.
- carries strong connotations of courage and determination, reinforcing the statue's intended message of female empowerment in a traditionally male-dominated environment
- The title juxtaposes the traditionally aggressive, male-dominated world of Wall Street with a portrayal of feminine strength and resilience.
- Comparing the statue to "great American flags" (l.68) at the New York Stock Exchange highlights its significance and symbolises broader social movements for gender diversity and equality.
- Visual confrontation as the statue's pose, "hands on her hips" (l.4), facing the New York Stock Exchange, symbolises a challenge to the male-dominated financial sector and emphasises gender equality.
Descriptive Language
Meaningful placement
- At the beginning of the text, the "Fearless Girl" is placed in a significant context by describing its original and current location, which emphasises the statue's intended message of empowerment.
- installation timing around International Women’s Day emphasizes symbolic intent
Structure
Contrast and juxtaposition
- Praise for the symbolism of the statue is contrasted with criticism of the company's motives, creating narrative tension.
- Critical perspectives on State Street's actions and comparison follow the positive frame, reinforcing the impact of the criticism.
Recurring controversies
- Recurrent problems such as ongoing discussions about permits and legal disputes over the installation of the statue, suggesting that the controversies surrounding the statue are ongoing and multi-layered.
- Scepticism towards the statue and the artist is repeatedly expressed throughout the narrative.
The text offers a balanced portrayal of the Fearless Girl statue and Kristen Visbal. Through the use of language and a structured narrative, the symbolic significance of the statue is respected, while simultaneously highlighting the complexity and potential hypocrisy behind its installation. This dual presentation invites the reader to appreciate the impact of the statue while remaining critical of the overall corporate and personal dynamics.
Conclusion
3.1
Kristen Visbal's quote: "For the good of society,’ Visbal said, ‘she must remain until these principles sink in.’ ", highlights the need to raise awareness of gender equality. Despite significant progress in recent years, gender inequalities remain in many areas, such as the workplace, education and politics. The "Fearless Girl" statue is a powerful symbol of this ongoing struggle.
Introduction
Current situation
- The Gender pay gap remains a significant issue
- in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as finance and technology
- Women are underrepresented in senior leadership roles in major companies
- efforts to increase gender diversity in leadership often face resistance and slow progress
Main Body
Education and Opportunities
- In many parts of the world, it is still difficult for girls and women to gain access to quality education.
- Cultural and economic factors often limit women's educational opportunities.
- Women are significantly underrepresented in STEM fields
- Efforts to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers are essential, but require sustained commitment and resources.
Importance of Awareness
- public symbols like the statue play a crucial role in raising awareness and sparking conversations
- Symbols can inspire individuals and movements by visually representing the fight for equality.
- Statues and public art can serve as educational tools, highlighting historical and contemporary issues related to gender equality.
- They have the power to appeal to younger generations and promote a deeper understanding of the importance of equality.
Worldwide issue
- In many developing countries, gender inequality is even more profound and women's rights and opportunities are severely limited.
- problems such as lack of rights and gender-based violence remain widespread
- Gender inequality often overlaps with other forms of discrimination, such as race, class, and sexual orientation.
Raising awareness of gender equality is crucial due to persistent inequalities in multiple areas around the world. Public symbols such as the Fearless Girl statue inspire change, challenge business practices and educate society about gender equality. Despite progress, sustained efforts are needed to ensure that the principles of gender equality are deeply embedded in society. To achieve comprehensive progress, gender equality must be addressed globally, and intersectional factors must be taken into account.
Conclusion
3.2
The impact of public art on communities
Title
Public art not only beautifies a place, it can also change society. When we see sculptures, murals, or installations in our cities and communities, they often convey messages that make us think and talk about important issues. For example, the sculpture "Fearless Girl" in New York has inspired people to think about gender equality. In this article, we explore how public art can spark conversations, challenge our perceptions, and effect positive change in our society.
Introduction
- Public art is accessible to everyone and promotes inclusion and broad community engagement.
- Paintings and sculptures often become centres for community gatherings and discussions.
- Public art can reflect local history, celebrate cultural diversity and highlight social issues.
- The "Fearless Girl" statue sparked discussions about gender equality and corporate responsibility.
Main Body
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
- Public art addresses controversial issues and offers alternative narratives.
- It raises awareness and influences public opinion on issues of social justice.
- Example
the murals created during the Black Lives Matter movement, which drew attention to racial injustice and police violence
- Art in the public can demand action and accountability from society.
Art as a source of social justice
- art in public spaces can attract tourists and boost the local economy
- Artistic actions in public spaces encourage greater investment in urban infrastructure.
- Public art supports the economy by fostering a thriving community of artists and entrepreneurs.
Economic Benefits
- Public art is playing an increasingly important role in shaping shared spaces and experiences.
- Greater integration of art into public spaces can inspire a new generation of artists and activists.
- The power of public art can contribute to a more inclusive, reflective, and dynamic society.
The Future of Art
Public art can be a powerful force for social change. It serves as a place for discussion and gathering, bringing people together to address issues that are important to them. Social art is a powerful tool for social change that encourages community engagement and addresses social issues. By making art accessible to everyone, you can stimulate dialogue, challenge myths and create positive change in your community.
Conclusion