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Horse Sculptures on River Thames

Posted by on September 23, 2015

You’ve got neigh chance! Tourists wanting to see new riverside horse sculptures will need to go when they are not covered by the Thames tide

If you happen to spot four riders on horseback appearing to be crossing the River Thames, don’t worry, your eyes are not deceiving you.

The animals are in fact sculptures commissioned to highlight the role the river has played in shaping London’s history.

But tourists and art lovers wanting to catch a glimpse of the new installation will have to time their visit right. The four 3-metre tall working horses are concealed and revealed by the tide each day.

They are part of the Totally Thames arts festival and can be seen on the foreshore at Nine Elms on the South Bank. ‘The Rising Tide’ was designed by internationally-renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, and will be in place between now and Wednesday, September 30.

Its message is to question the world’s future relationship with fossil fuels. The corpulent businessmen astride two horses are designed to represent the position of power over these resources, while the two small children depict future generations who will live with the consequences of overconsumption. 

The artwork is also a celebration of how the river has acted as an artery for industry and trade and a point of disembarkation for the pleasure gardens that have lined its banks.

Taylor has previously created a real life city of Atlantis, sunk a life-size sculpture of a Volkswagen Beetle and even a house. 

In 2006, the Dover, Kent, born artist founded and created the world’s first underwater sculpture park off the west coast of Grenada in the West Indies. The area is now listed as one of the Top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic.

Three years later he created a museum with a collection of over 500 of his sculptural works, submerged off the coast of Cancun, Mexico. 

These unusual installations are part of an arts festival taking part in London’s South Bank and can be seen at low and high tide

The artwork is also a celebration of how the river has acted as an artery for industry and trade and a point of disembarkation for the pleasure gardens that have lined its banks

The artwork is also a celebration of how the river has acted as an artery for industry and trade and a point of disembarkation for the pleasure gardens that have lined its banks

Mane attraction: Horse sculptures by internationally-renowned underwater artist Jason deCaires have been unveiled in the River Thames

Mane attraction: Horse sculptures by internationally-renowned underwater artist Jason deCaires have been unveiled in the River Thames

Hide and seek: But tourists and art lovers wanting to catch a glimpse of the new installation will have to time their visit right as the four working horses are concealed and revealed by the tide each day

Proud: The Rising Tide sculpture, free to view from the riverside walkway on London's South Bank for up to two hours either side of low tide, is pictured her being installed against the backdrop of Tower Bridge

Proud: The Rising Tide sculpture, free to view from the riverside walkway on London’s South Bank for up to two hours either side of low tide, is pictured her being installed against the backdrop of Tower Bridge

The artwork can be seen being lowered into the river

One of the horse riders stands proudly in front of Big Ben

The artwork can be seen being lowered into the river (left), while one of the horse riders (right) stands proudly in front of Big Ben

The four sculptures (including the one pictured) were commissioned to highlight the role the river has played in shaping London's history

The four sculptures (including the one pictured) were commissioned to highlight the role the river has played in shaping London’s history

Ebb and flow: The sculptures can be seen here on land before their installation and submerged in the River Thames at high tide

Standing tall: This picture of two of the horse sculptures shows what tourists will see from the riverbank when the Thames tide is low

Standing tall: This picture of two of the horse sculptures shows what tourists will see from the riverbank when the Thames tide is low

The sculptures were made by artist Jason deCaires Taylor (pictured) and installed on the foreshore at Nine Elms on the South Bank

The sculptures were made by artist Jason deCaires Taylor (pictured) and installed on the foreshore at Nine Elms on the South Bank

Recognisable: Jason deCaires Taylor is well-known for his underwater sculptures, including these in Cancun, Mexico, unveiled in 2009

The sculptures are seen here prior to being placed in the Thames as part of a piece of artwork which will remain for the month of September

The sculptures are seen here prior to being placed in the Thames as part of a piece of artwork which will remain for the month of September

Sending a message: One of the riders on horseback is pictured in front of the London Eye. The corpulent businessmen astride two of the horses are designed represent their position of power over the use of fossil fuels

Sending a message: One of the riders on horseback is pictured in front of the London Eye. The corpulent businessmen astride two of the horses are designed represent their position of power over the use of fossil fuels

Getting ready: The team in charge of helping to lower the four sculptures into the Thames are pictured before the installation took place

Getting ready: The team in charge of helping to lower the four sculptures into the Thames are pictured before the installation took place

Getting wet: Tourists wanting to see the sculptures will have to time it right as high tide in the Thames will see them submerged (left)

Theme: One of the two small children on the horses is pictured here. They depict future generations who will live with the consequences of overconsumption of fossil fuels

Theme: One of the two small children on the horses is pictured here. They depict future generations who will live with the consequences of overconsumption of fossil fuels

Crossing the river? They are part of the Totally Thames arts festival and can be seen on the foreshore at Nine Elms on the South Bank

Crossing the river? They are part of the Totally Thames arts festival and can be seen on the foreshore at Nine Elms on the South Bank

Not a bad view: ‘The Rising Tide’ was designed by internationally-renowned underwater sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, and will be in place between now and Wednesday, September 30

Eye-catching sight: ‘The Rising Tide’ is pictured being installed on the bank of the River Thames, at Nine Elms on the South Bank

Time it right: The sculptures by Jason deCaires will only be visible at certain times of the day when the River Thames is at low tide

Time it right: The sculptures by Jason deCaires will only be visible at certain times of the day when the River Thames is at low tide

Onward! The artwork is a celebration of how the river acted as an artery for industry and trade and a point of disembarkation for the pleasure gardens that have lined its banks

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