Skeletal horse sculpture rides onto London's Fourth Plinth

    By Matthew Knight, CNN

    Updated 1814 GMT (0214 HKT) March 5, 2015

    Hans Haacke's "Gift Horse" is the latest artwork to sit on a vacant plinth in London's Trafalgar Square. The 78-year-old artist's work was unveiled by London's Mayor Boris Johnson on March 5.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    Hans Haacke's "Gift Horse" is the latest artwork to sit on a vacant plinth in London's Trafalgar Square. The 78-year-old artist's work was unveiled by London's Mayor Boris Johnson on March 5.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 9
    A "Gift Horse" isn't complete without a ribbon and Hans Haacke's creation comes with one which shows real-time updates from the London Stock Exchange. It completes the link between power, money and history which the artwork is meant to represent, say organizers.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    A "Gift Horse" isn't complete without a ribbon and Hans Haacke's creation comes with one which shows real-time updates from the London Stock Exchange. It completes the link between power, money and history which the artwork is meant to represent, say organizers.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 9
    A small crowd gathered to watch the unveiling of the new sculpture by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    A small crowd gathered to watch the unveiling of the new sculpture by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 9
    The bronze sculpture as seen from the east of Trafalgar Square with the equestrian statue of George IV in the foreground which was unveiled in 1843.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    The bronze sculpture as seen from the east of Trafalgar Square with the equestrian statue of George IV in the foreground which was unveiled in 1843.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 9
    German artist Katharina Fritsch poses on front of her sculpture Hahn/Cock. The striking work was unveiled in July 2013.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    German artist Katharina Fritsch poses on front of her sculpture Hahn/Cock. The striking work was unveiled in July 2013.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 9
    "Powerless Structures, Fig.101" unveiled in 2012 was designed by Danish artist Michael Elmgreen and Norwegian artist Ingar Dragse.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    "Powerless Structures, Fig.101" unveiled in 2012 was designed by Danish artist Michael Elmgreen and Norwegian artist Ingar Dragse.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 9
    Anthony Gormley utilized the space in a novel way inviting members of the public to occupy the plinth for one hour every day for 100 days. A total of 2,400 people stood on the plinth in the British artist's "One and Other" project in 2009. Pictured here is Rachel Wardell, the first member of the public to temporarily occupy the space.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    Anthony Gormley utilized the space in a novel way inviting members of the public to occupy the plinth for one hour every day for 100 days. A total of 2,400 people stood on the plinth in the British artist's "One and Other" project in 2009. Pictured here is Rachel Wardell, the first member of the public to temporarily occupy the space.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 9
    German artist Thomas Schutte scupture entitled 'Model for a Hotel' was unveiled in November 2007.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    German artist Thomas Schutte scupture entitled 'Model for a Hotel' was unveiled in November 2007.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 9
    The marble sculpture by British artist Marc Quinn entitled 'Alison Lapper Pregnant' was the first artwork to fill the vacant plinth in the northwest of Trafalgar Square. The statue unveiled in September 2005 is a portrait of disabled artist Alison Lapper, who is portrayed naked and eight months pregnant. The sculpture measured 12 feet high and weighed 13 tons.
    Photos: Art and history mix in London's Trafalgar Square
    The marble sculpture by British artist Marc Quinn entitled 'Alison Lapper Pregnant' was the first artwork to fill the vacant plinth in the northwest of Trafalgar Square. The statue unveiled in September 2005 is a portrait of disabled artist Alison Lapper, who is portrayed naked and eight months pregnant. The sculpture measured 12 feet high and weighed 13 tons.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 9
    gift horse 1 gift horse headshot tzgift horse unveiled gift horse from east fourth plinth fourth plinth powerless structures fig 101fourth plinth one and other gormleyfouth plinth model for a hotelfourth plinth alison lapper pregnant

    Story highlights

    • A new sculpture for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth unveiled Thursday
    • 'Gift Horse' by German-born artist Hans Haacke will sit on plinth for 18 months