The infested artificial horse ‘Stairway to Ringo’ has found a new home. The artwork, which stood on the edge of Egmond aan Zee, was daubed, set on fire and destroyed several times. As of today, the work has been placed in an appropriate place: at the Groot riding school in Egmond aan den Hoef. “Here he can enjoy himself among his peers”, says riding school owner Ap Groot.
Appropriate place for ravaged artificial horse: “Cozy between his kind” – NH Nieuws
The artificial horse has been causing controversy in Egmond aan Zee for years. The artwork is part of the horse parade, an art route in Alkmaar and the surrounding area, in which established artists and young up-and-coming talent give substance to a life-size synthetic horse in their own way.
Where other horses were left alone, the horse in Egmond aan Zee had to do it several times retaliate† After the umpteenth destruction it was removed and made ‘vandal-proof’. The artwork was renewed and reinforced with solid concrete All in all, the entire operation cost 9,000 euros†
Rita Koppe Draaijer from residents’ association Heart for Egmond spent years trying to move the statue to another place. According to her, the location was not optimally chosen and she is therefore happy that it has finally been given a new place.
“Many Derpers did not find the old place suitable, because the horse stood on a kind of sacred ground. That is because there is the blue pole that marks the border between Egmond aan Zee and Egmond aan den Hoef. Of course you stay away from other people’s stuff, but I think the artwork is now in a safer place.”
Artist Hellen van Meene has never understood why her artwork provoked so much aggression and anger. She would have preferred that the artwork had remained in its original place because that is precisely what has been thought about. “It is also a tribute to the village, because horses used to be a lot of work on the beach. I really don’t understand why people are bothered by this.”
Van Meene has the idea that the municipality has succumbed to the vandals by moving the horse. “The contract for the horse parade expired and he just stood in the old place until then. We held on.” The artist is nevertheless at peace with the fact that her work is now at the riding school. “It is better for the safety of the artwork and this is also a beautiful place.”
The hope is that the artificial horse will now be left alone. Riding school owner Ap Groot promises to take good care of it. “It would be a shame if something happens to it again. Then another place has to be found. I hope people like that it is now among the other horses.”
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