Local people came out in droves during the first week of the Cows about Cambridge art trail, as trail-goers visited the individual sculptures more than 20,167 times with their family and friends.
Word is spreading fast about the 90 bovine beauties on the sculpture trail, which include 44 life-size Cows and 46 mini moos. These colourful 3D canvases have been individually decorated by regional and national artists, schools and community groups. Each sculpture is a conversation starter, with a different story to tell. The trail, which began on Monday 28 June and runs for ten weeks, has been brought to Cambridge by event producers Wild in Art, in collaboration with Break charity, principal partner Cambridge BID and official travel partner Thameslink.
The trail can be enjoyed from lots of different angles. “What wonderful artistry from all those concerned,” enthused Jackie on social media, while Suzanne said: “A brilliant fun trail for both adults and children. A great way to see the sights of Cambridge.” Charlie appreciated that many of the sculptures “raise awareness for the environment.”
Grazing in locations across the city centre, the Cows can be found by picking up a free trail map from shopping centres and other locations, or downloading the trail app – a percentage of profits from each £1.99 purchase goes to Break charity. Not only does the app act as a geo-locator, it also enables users to ‘unlock’ each Cow or mini moo cluster they visit, vote for their favourites, post selfies, and collect rewards offered by local businesses.
Hey Diddle Diddle is the most collected Cow to date, having been visited at least 365 times during the first seven days – and that’s counting only those visitors using the app. Designed by artist Sally Adams and sponsored by Aspiration Europe, this sculpture celebrates the classic nursery rhyme with bold, animated characters set against a night sky twinkling with stars.
MooMoo-o-Tron111, created by the Dinky Doors duo and sponsored by Cambridge BID, is emerging as a favourite on social media, and has been voted ‘best in show’ 38 times. Complete with an elevator door in the hoof, the metal-plated design features friendly aliens looking out for their Supreme Leader.
App-using trail-goers have covered an udderly fantastic 1,289 miles during the first week and collected 14,593 rewards. On average, each visitor has unlocked 27 Cows and walked four of the trail’s eleven miles.
Already, 734 photos have been submitted to the app gallery, and the team at Cows about Cambridge looks forward to sharing the best selfies on social media over the weeks ahead.
“It’s great to see the trail encouraging people to moo-ve round the city,” commented Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of event producers Wild in Art. “It’s a Covid-friendly way for people to socialise, support local artists and a local charity, and enjoy some gentle exercise in the fresh air. So many reasons to smile!”
For more information visit cowsaboutcambridge.co.uk or look up the trail on social media.
