The eight horses appear to gallop as they glisten in the sun.
The vintage mechanical steeds once stood proudly outside department stores like Woolworths but have been re-imagined as a solar-powered art installation along the Calgary countryside.
The sculptures, crafted by artist Lisa Brawn, are on display through Nov. 26 as part of the "Helios" art exhibit at the Leighton Art Centre.
"They're completely independent just running through the field. No generators, no electrical," Brawn told CBC.
Although they cannot be ridden, a series of hidden sensors triggers them to start moving.
Brawn purchased a herd of 30 of the broken down coin-operated machines in 2013. She has presented the horses in different configurations and exhibits since 2014.
The machines were first in front of department stores in the 1950s through the 1980s. The childhood joy from them became covered in layers of paint, mice-chewed wiring and years of neglect.
Brawn spent time deconstructing, cleaning, rewiring and painting them an eye-catching silver. She created a solar power and motion-activated system that spurs the horses to move.
"I believe these horses are a touchstone of that era, holding a place of local historical value in our collective cultural imagination, and that compelled me to re-imagine and reactivate them in a contemporary context," Brawn said.
About the Author
