Robert Steven Brown: The Man, The Myth, The Legend
I am Robert Steven Brown, a founder and a Managing Director of New World Merchant Partners LLC, a corporate transactional advisory firm. In the course of my work and my life I come across some interesting people, antecdotes, statements, books, and stories, which I feel should be expressed to someone or at least anyone who will listen, but which are somehow inappropriate for posting on my work blog (newworldmp.blogspot.com) or other blogs. I hope that you find these little posts as humorous, interesting, or illuminating as I do. Please feel free to post comments, whether or not offensive.
Finger Pointing In Milan
In Bowling Green Park near Wall Street stands what has become known as the Charging Bull, which is sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, a 3,200 kilogram (7,100 lb) bronze sculpture by Arturo DiModica, standing 11 feet (3.4 m) tall and measuring 16 feet (4.9 m) long. The oversize sculpture depicts a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity, leaning back on its haunches and with its head lowered as if ready to charge. The image is iconic and has served as the backdrop for financial reports, news programs, films, and documentaries, and has been used to represent the resiliency and strength of the American people, as well as the strength and unpredictability of the financial markets.
Italy has taken a different path. Outside of the bourse in Milan is Italy's equivalent of Wall Street's Charging Bull, a 36-foot white hand displaying its middle finger called "Il Dito" (The Finger). Perhaps it is a national response to the financial crises which have wreaked so much global havoc, or perhaps it is a physical manifestation of Italy's reputation for expressiveness. In any event, I believe that the symbolism is reasonably clear.
Milan, I salute your spirit, your brazenness, and your sense of decorum. Message received. Bravo. Molto Buono.
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