HORSES, MOTION & MUYBRIDGE with The Community Brain

The sculptures are modelled on the famous series of photographs taken in 1878 by pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge that proved that at a certain point when a horse is running all four legs are off the ground. The photographs were commissioned by former governor of California Leland Standford, a businessman and race-horse owner, who wanted to prove his belief.

The pictures did show that all four feet were indeed off the ground simultaneously. But this was not, as previously thought when the horses’ legs were extended to the front and back. It was when the horses’ legs were collected beneath it’s body. Until then the belief was horses in mid stride had all four legs stretched in the ‘flying gallop’ as represented in visual culture paintings such as Theodore Gericault’s Derby at Epsom. Muybridge’s pictures created international attention leading him to tour Europe and the States and earning him respect and notoriety in both artistic and scientifc communities.

Prior to being permanently installed on the central platform at Esher station - where they currently overlook onto Sandown Racecourse - four of the seven horses were exhibited at the Hampton Court Garden Festival in 2023.