page_title: Arturo Di Modica
section_title: Construction of 54 Crosby St Studio (c.1980)
hierarchical_section_title: Arturo Di Modica / Construction of 54 Crosby St Studio (c.1980)
caption_attribution_description: English: Di Modica working on his Crosby St basement
context_page_description: Arturo Di Modica is an Italian artist, born in Vittoria, Sicily, who became a naturalized American citizen. He is best known for his Charging Bull sculpture which he dropped illegally during the night of 15 December 1989 outside the New York Stock Exchange as his gift to the American people.
  Having arrived in the U.S, penniless in 1970, he had risen to success and felt indebted to America. After the 1987 Black Monday stock market crash, he had the idea to create a sculpture intended to inspire all whom came into contact with it to carry on fighting with 'strength and determination' through the hard times for a brighter future. He spent the next two years working on the sculpture paying all of the $350,000 production costs himself. The late night installation attracted international media attention with Charging Bull going on to become one of the world's most iconic sculptures, drawing millions of visitors each year.
  Whilst working in the same Carrara marble studio when Di Modica was only in his late 20s, Henry Moore recognised the young sculptor's talent and nicknamed him 'the young Michelangelo'.
context_section_description: Around 1980 Di Modica purchased a plot of land with a shack on it at 54 Crosby Street. Using up all of his funds paying the downpayment, he had no money left to develop the property so had to resort to salvaging materials. He dragged 7m long salvaged beams of wood through the night to use as building materials. He was then able to purchase 8,000 bricks for $400 from a priest and with these, he began building upwards. Eventually building two storey's up. He then wanted to build a basement but could not get planning permission from the City. So he started digging into the ground without permission, sneaking the rubble out and the new materials in by night.
  Upon finishing the basement, Di Modica's new studio was four levels and became the center of his artistic production. Large monumental works were often left on the sidewalk in order to attract the attention of passers by and often as his most ambitious projects would not fit through the door. Over the years Di Modica would host various art parties for aspiring artists whom were in need of a space and as a way of launching new bodies of his. 
  c.2008 Di Modica sold 54 Crosby St studio to help finance his 12-acre sculpture school project that he was building in his hometown of Vittoria, Sicily.
caption: c.1981, New York: Di Modica digging into the ground to construct his Crosby St studio basement with no prior permission
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