Moo: Cows are set to move into Shanghai.

SMG has joined hands with Halcyon Gallery to introduce the event. According to Cow Parade, the cow represents different things around the world: “she is sacred, she’s historical; she connects us to our past…there is something magical about the cow that transcends throughout the world. She simply makes everyone smile.”

Many people all over the world have painted the cows, from renowned artists such as Peter Max and Patrick Hughes, to architects Robert Stern in New York and Lord Richard Rogers, and designers such as David Lynch, the American film director, Vivian Westwood and other internationally acclaimed fashion designers.

Four artists attended the opening ceremony and signed their names on the cows they are about to paint on: Murong Yindao, an illustrator and cartoonist, Sun Liang, a painter, Wang Xiaohui, a multi-disciplinary contemporary artist and Zhu Dake, a scholar and cultural critic.

“Urban life has alienated people. Life is gray and people lose the sensibility for beauty and nature,” Zhu says. “I hope the parade will stimulate people’s perception of colors and life.”

Zhu himself has never made art and intends to source ideas for his cow creation. Murong, famous for his creation of a cartoon dog named Daodao, proposed five plans for his cow, and posted them on his social network. He ended up painting a cartoon-style map of Shanghai on his cow.

Others who have confirmed their participation are Alan Chan, the industrial designer, Jin Xing the dancer and TV host, contemporary art curator Victoria Lu and actress Chen Shu.

Lei says a series of events will take place as the cows parade in Shanghai. Art classes for children will be held, an outdoor concert will be scheduled, and hopefully by midyear 2015, 500 cows will be decorated and exhibited, more than in any other city in the world.