The “Horse Power” exhibition, specially prepared for the 30th anniversary of the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, makes its visitors think about the answer to this question in terms of both art and engineering. The place of the horse in art, which has been the leading player in transportation and culture for thousands of years, and the technological revolution of the automobile, which came onto the scene from the 19th century, come together in this exhibition.
One of the oldest partners of civilization, the horse was a strong and agile friend that met humanity's transportation and carrying needs for centuries. From ancient Greece to Rome, from the Middle Ages RönesansIn the process that stretched back to , it became an indispensable object of art, culture and mythology, perhaps being one of the most depicted figures after humans. Then automobiles came on the scene and technology created its own aesthetics, speed and language. So what did these two worlds have in common?
Rahmi M. Koç Museum's "Horse Power" exhibition, specially prepared for its 30th year, continues to take its enthusiasts on a fascinating journey into the world of art and engineering under two main headings to answer the question. The exhibition, which includes over 18 objects and works from 2000 different countries, can be visited until June 10, 2025.
While the “Horse Figures from the Rahmi M. Koç Collection” section in the Mustafa V. Koç Building/historical Lengerhane Building invites you to discover the place of the horse in art with works and visuals selected from different geographies and cultures from the 2nd century BC to the present; the “Automobile Stories from the Rahmi M. Koç Museum” section in the Erdoğan Gönül Gallery reveals the transformation and development of the automobile from the 19th century to the present.
Here are the 'most' prominent ones of the selection:
The newest car: The 2024 Mercedes-AMG ONE is a limited-edition hypercar inspired by Formula 1 technology. Only 275 examples of this model were produced and sold out before it was released. With its 1.063-horsepower hybrid engine and four electric motors, the vehicle can reach a speed of 352 km/h, and on September 23, 2024, it completed the Nürburgring track in 6:29.090 minutes, regaining the title of “fastest road-going car.” With its carbon fiber chassis, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake system, the AMG ONE is a design marvel that pushes the boundaries of engineering.
Minimum horsepower: 1886 Benz Tricycle or No:1 Patent Motor Car. Designed by Carl Benz, this three-wheeled vehicle is known as the first automobile powered by a gasoline internal combustion engine. Its single-cylinder engine produces 0,75 horsepower and drives the rear wheels with a chain. The vehicle, which operates with fixed and neutral rollers instead of a gearbox, has only one handbrake. Carl Benz preferred a single front wheel in the design since the system that steers the two front wheels was not yet known. Reaching a top speed of 16 km/h, this iconic model is one of the most historic stops in the exhibition for those who want to witness the birth of the automobile.
Smallest model: The 1:12 scale De Dion Bouton car model is one of the smallest yet most detailed pieces in the exhibition, measuring just 17 cm long, 11 cm wide and 15,5 cm high. A miniature interpretation of its actual size, this model reflects the automobile design of the period with a scaled elegance. Despite its small size, it offers viewers a nostalgic look with its historical references.
The oldest horse figure: Dating back to the Hellenistic period, the terracotta horse figure stands out in the exhibition as one of the oldest works dating back to the 2nd-1st centuries BC. Reflecting its fine workmanship and the aesthetics of the period, this figure shows that horses have not only been a means of transportation throughout history, but also a cultural and artistic symbol. This piece, included in the exhibition from the Sadberk Hanım Museum Collection, is a special stop for those who are following the traces of the past.
The latest horse figure: One of the pioneers of kinetic art, Server Demirtaş’s 2017 work titled “Horse” is one of the most contemporary and impressive pieces in the exhibition. The product of a two-year-long work using an engine, mechanical systems and silicone, this hyperrealistic sculpture occasionally raises one leg and sometimes turns its head left and right to interact with the viewer. With its silky surface and movements that almost give the impression of being alive, Demirtaş’s “Horse” offers a contemporary and striking interpretation of the narrative extending from the past to the present in the exhibition.
