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Hans Haacke's Gift Horse

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth", I question. Research on this ancient proverb, of course finally brought me to this aged suggestion: "the longer its teeth, the older the horse." Remembering a blue-chip London bus trip we took a journey to T-Square perforce. There upon the fourth plinth, we dared not to skip the stellar sculpture called Hans Haacke's "Gift Horse." Borrowing from equine pictures drawn by George Stubbs, Fulfillment for posterity, Hans' ace of clubs. Readily, H. Haacke now spins a skeleton which features a ribbon of ticker tape from the London's Stock Exchange's latest run. Money and power set in a new shape. But recently, fate has behooved to remove this sculpture to Chicago's latitutde. Proverb's warning: Looking at its teeth for proof, you slay a gift horse with ingratitude. August 19, 2019 https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/8944/hans-haacke-gift-horse Sponsor Robert James Liguori Contest Name A Notable Horse

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Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/15/2021 1:57:00 PM

Wonderfully penned Reason. Some pieces of art really make a lasting impression and an unforgettable place marker in our experiences. Congratulations on your win! Blessings!

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/15/2021 2:48:00 PM

thank you, Sam, and this one did...fourth plinth displays are replaced yearly in Trafalgar Square but for it to end up in Chicago was likely the artist's choice. That was my point about the "gift horse." He hails from Germany.

Beata Agustin

Date: 10/15/2021 2:52:00 AM

Wow! Congrats! Thanks for sharing this... I learned a valuable "horse-lesson" today. God bless you.

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/15/2021 2:49:00 PM

thanks, Beata, it is a great piece of sculpture with a story full of details. Appreciate the read and remarks.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 10/14/2021 8:56:00 PM

" Looking at its teeth for proof, you slay a gift horse with ingratitude." - Great Writing! Congratulations!

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/15/2021 2:40:00 AM

I welcome your comment, Christuraj, it was a most unusual statue. Thanks for commenting.

Robert James Liguori

Date: 10/14/2021 4:29:00 PM

Congratulations. I enjoyed reading your poem.

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 10/15/2021 2:38:00 AM

I enjoyed entering your contest; thanks for the recognition. Did you, by chance, google the statue?

Sara Kendrick

Date: 9/11/2019 8:40:00 AM

Congrats on your winning work. Way to go. Sara

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 9/13/2019 10:01:00 PM

Thanks for taking the time to take a look and offer a comment. Tis appreciated.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/10/2019 5:34:00 PM

This is a fun one. Congrats on your win.

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 9/13/2019 10:01:00 PM

It was a fun one for the writer too. I appreciate your comment and placement. A most unusual piece of art.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/10/2019 4:57:00 PM

Nice to see this poem , one of the winners on the list. Congrats to you, REason.

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 9/10/2019 4:59:00 PM

When I'm in Chicago, I will go see it again. It was a most unusual sculpture. Thanks, Andrea.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 9/10/2019 8:28:00 AM

Reason, this is so well-written and informative! CONGRATS on your win. Janice

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 9/10/2019 5:01:00 PM

Thank you, Janice. I was sad to read that it was not an original design that it was copied from a painting; but it was well done and Haacke added the ticker tape which was very creative.

John Lawless

Date: 9/9/2019 5:54:00 PM

Enjoyed this one and even looked up the history of the horse...thanks for participating in the contest.

Reason A. Poteet
Date: 9/9/2019 9:12:00 PM

A novel reply; I'm glad it sparked your interest enough to check it out. I like it when the fourth plinth sculptures are horse-related since there are so many equestrian statues in London... I guess the Stock Exchange was the rider for this horse, at least when it was in London. Appreciate the novel placement. Can't remember when a 12th place inspired me to write another.