Gift Horse on the Fourth Plinth
We love the newest addition to the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. From a heavily pregnant disabled artist to a big blue cock, the latest piece of art to take up this space is a skeletal horse. Gift Horse by German American artist Hans Haacke is the 10th piece of art to be showcased on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. The skeletal horse sculpture features a bow shaped ticker tape on it’s front leg, with a live feed from the London Stock Exchange, supposedly linking power, history and money.
Just unveiled the new sculpture on the #FourthPlinth in Trafalgar Sq the fantastic #GiftHorse http://t.co/PQqlNb5CtO pic.twitter.com/nct4J7TIT1
— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) March 5, 2015
The Guardian reported :
After the ceremony, Haacke said the work, which was partly based on engravings by the 18th century artist George Stubbs, was a comment on the supposed “invisible hand” benefits of the market described by Stubb’s contemporary Adam Smith. Smith believed that people pursuing their own interests could benefit society more than if they directly tried to help it.
“That is a metaphor that is being used a great deal these days, particularly by people who would like to see the financial industry unregulated,” Haacke told the Guardian. “So it’s an invitation to think about whether the invisible hand of the market does promote general welfare or whether there’s a misunderstanding, or whether it is totally wrong.”
The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square was empty for the longest time since they ran out of money when it was first built. Now, it is the most coveted spot for artist to show their art. To get there, you must win this contemporary art competition funded by the Mayor of London and supported by the Arts Council. The Gift Horse will be on display here for the next 18 months. This is what Boris has to say about it.
