New York Gets a New Bull, and Other News

The bronze Charging Bull statue outside of the New York Stock Exchange is getting a younger brother. Debuting today in front of the Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel, Mexican artist Enrique Cabrera’s El Toro de Oro isn’t a symbol of a prosperous economy but rather an ode to the neighborhood’s gritty heritage as an epicenter for slaughterhouses and meat packing plants. Perched atop a base inspired by a butcher block, the reflective geometric bull features a shiny gold exterior in a nod to the area’s modern transformation into a hub of art, nightlife, and high-end fashion. 

“It only makes sense that this piece, signifying the convergence of old and new in the greatest city in the world, would live on these streets,” says Cabrera, known for his large-scale skull sculpture, Palmarius, that has traveled to more than 28 countries. The unveiling coincides with the kickoff to the inaugural New York Art Week, a city-wide initiative showcasing exhibitions, events, and biennials alongside four art fairs: Independent, TEFAF New York, NADA New York, and the Future Fair. El Toro de Oro will be on view through Labor Day. —Nate Storey