Beth Grossman - Galleries - Participatory Public Art

Washing the Charging Bull on Wall Street with the Golden Rule

As the United States Congress deliberated over a Financial Reform Bill in the spring of 2010, I wondered if the Golden Rule has any place on Wall Street. I began washing the iconic Charging Bull with a cloth that said LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. As I was scrubbing the bull clean, a group of Japanese tourists started rubbing the bull along with me.

Table Talks on the Golden Rule as a guiding principle on Wall Street.

Financial Experts' Table Talk on the possibilities of the Golden Rule as a guiding principle in our financial system
Photo ©2010 Erv Grossman

I asked financial industry insiders to do a self-evaluation of how effectively current financial practices fulfill the needs of the community and to consider the feasibility of the Golden Rule as a new code of conduct on Wall Street. This Table Talk was a soul searching and sincerely personal conversation.

Public Table Talk on the relationship of the Golden Rule to our free market system
Photo ©2010 Erv Grossman

I hosted two Table talks in the gallery open to public participation. The first Table Talk was on the relationship of the Golden Rule to our free market system. The second one was on a different perspective on investing; considering the Golden Rule as a guiding principle as we invest in our future: children, education and health care. Everyone was truly thoughtful, self-reflective, resourceful and did not try to blame "Wall Street." I was moved as I listened to everyone struggle with the ethical issues of how hard it is to walk the talk. As we talked, we wrote and drew notes directly on a white table cloth. The Table Talk conversations were recorded, photographed and filmed by Keith Moreau.

The Golden Rule on Wall Street.

Table cloths as banners on Wall Street at the now vacant JP Morgan Building
Photo ©2010 Keith Moreau / SilverSpot Media

While I was looking for financial experts to participate, we decided to take my art down to Wall Street. Angelisse Karol, Storrs Hoen, and Keith Moreau and I carried the table cloths with the Golden Rules down to the Stock Exchange. We stood with the banners on Wall Street as we talked with the public about the financial meltdown and the potential role of the Golden Rule in financial reform.

Table cloths as banners on Wall Street at the New York Stock Exchange
Photo ©2010 Keith Moreau / SilverSpot Media

Golden Rule banners on Wall Street at the Federal Building with George Washington
Photo ©2010 Keith Moreau / SilverSpot Media

Golden Rule banners on Broadway at the Bull
Photo ©2010 Keith Moreau / SilverSpot Media

Beth washing the Charging Bull with a Golden Rule cloth
Photo ©2010 Keith Moreau / SilverSpot Media

At one point, I began washing the bronze bull with a cloth that said LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. As I was scrubbing the bull clean, a group of Japanese tourists started scrubbing the bull with me.

This Wall Street participatory performance was created while the U.S. Congress deliberated over a Financial Reform Bill and while my art exhibit All the rest is commentary… was on display at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan May – July 2010.

All the rest is commentary... exhibited at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan

All the rest is commentary... presents the Golden Rule from 12 world religions as a core vision of global human relations. This series of printed linen table cloths typographically unifies these translated versions of the Golden Rule as authoritative messages. My exploration of this universal tenet magnifies inherent meaning and searches for new content and questions.

I wish to say a special thank you to all of my friends and family who came out to New York to assist participate in this Golden Rule Project. Thank you for your gifts of time and support.