Caballos negros, pintos, mios

Abstract

This document should be viewed as an integral part of a larger work, the plastic work to which it constantly alludes. It focuses on the multiple meanings and representations surrounding animal-drawn vehicles in the city of Bogotá. In a city characterized by unchecked and excessive consumption of resources, territory, and space, where a consuming society reproduces an empty urbanism detached from any logic and sanity, the persistence of animal-drawn vehicles on the streets evokes various reactions, all of them associated with a certain sense of bewilderment. The reasons why thousands of human beings still use this means of transport are hidden from our sight. Estimates indicate that there are 10,000 animal-drawn vehicles in Bogotá and around 18,000 people in the city depend on the use of horses to earn an income. These significant figures can be partially explained by the fact that these Vehicles, in addition to being able to be efficiently used as a means of transportation, pulling, and tillage, represent a very low cost for the cart driver compared to other possible alternatives. On the other hand, it is important to note that the use of this type of vehicle is part of the range of actions inherent to human freedoms and, as such, does not affect or violate the rights of other members of the citizenry.