Monochrome Monday - Equine Sculpture
This sculpture by Danie de Jager of four galloping horses has a controversial history, but hopefully a peaceful future.
Danie de Jager called it Freedom Symbol and it stood on Strijdom Square in Pretoria for many years. The four galloping horses represented the new-found freedom of the Republic and it's then four provinces. A symbol of confidence, joy and energy for the future. When Strijdom Square was redesigned as Lilian Ngoyi Square it was decided that keeping the statue would be inappropriate.
In October 2007 the statue was relocated to the University of Pretoria at a cost to the provincial government of R430 920. It was renamed to Equine Sculpture in the hope that the sculpture would simply be adored for it's beauty and not its history.
The plaque simply reads: "This Danie de Jager Equine Sculpture was unveiled in its new position by the minister of arts and culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan. It was donated to the University of Pretoria by the Gauteng provincial government."
I love the lines and the vibrancy of the sculpture. The LC de Villiers Sport Centre at the university is the perfect location for this amazing sculpture.
Beautiful piece. Why do today's "artists" create such crap?
Good question. One that will always baffle me. They are certainly fueled by the 'interpreters' who look at a circle on a canvas and somehow ''see the deep inner self busting with anguish and joy in the lines that simulate birth and the inner child''.
That is such a nauseating thought.
Just like the Totius statue that was removed from its original position in a park in Potchefstroom. It first found its new home in front of the main building on the PUK campus, but apparently was relocated somewhere else - not sure where. The man was not even a political figure, just a Godsman and poet...
I remember that!! Would be nice to know where they relocated it to. On the other hand, maybe it's best that it's not known. If only people can learn that history can never change no matter how many buildings, statues and street names you break down. We can only learn from history and hopefully apply it to change ourselves and the future.
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STOPThis is so beautiful, very true we dont see such fantastic art anymore.
I agree. I wish we could go back to where art was beautiful instead of different.
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