Walter Baumann

The CowParades (or Cows on Parade) books recording the ever-growing number of exhibitions worldwide are quite similar in kind if widely variant in detail. All contain large pictures, generally at least one per sculpture, of these whimsical and creative works.

Either the reader likes this sort of thing, or doesn't, but as one who enjoys them, I have collected all the books that I can find. I'd buy the ones that aren't in English if I could find them. The West Hartford Connecticut book offers samples of sculptures from a variety of exhibits, including those less available, at least in English. The Stamford collection has a cow history timeline and a variety of myths and anecdotes about cows.

Meanwhile, http://www.cowparade.com offers slide shows from the various exhibitions. Be sure to check out Party Animals, Pandamania, Trail of Painted Ponies, The Big Pig Gig, Mermaids on Parade and Fish out of Water for similar exhibits of different models.… (meer)

A short biography about Zurich's controversial condottiere and mayor. Rescued by the numerous wars from his humble beginnings and ruffian youth, Waldmann tasted power and managed a meteoric personal rise which ended in a brutal beheading (after torture). Not corruption, debauchery, over-taxation and sumptuary laws made his undoing but going against the citizens' dogs. Even then it was true that "Züri Hönd sind Fründ" (Zurich dogs are friends).

Baumann's biography achieves to give us a good character sketch of both the man and the period. I only wish he had provided sources.… (meer)