Listen closely. What if I told you a horse watches over Zurich-West? It is not just any horse. It’s the Figur und Pferd. This striking sculpture has become an iconic landmark.
The Figur und Pferd is perched atop a high-rise. It stands on the Tramdepot Hard building near Escher-Wyss-Platz. This piece of art often makes drivers and pedestrians do a double-take. Is it real? From a distance, the metal horse looks strikingly alive.
Yves Netzhammer, a Zurich artist, created this installation. The Figur und Pferd is more than just a static sculpture. The project’s website describes how the horse moves. It shakes its head. The horse rears up. It paws the ground and then stands still. The artwork surprises people. It encourages them to dream.
A review panel described the Figur und Pferd perfectly. They said it is a creature in an unexpected place. Why is this farm animal on a pristine white building? The panel connected the horse to the tram depot below. Electric trams are descendants of horse-drawn carriages. The “Rösslitram” represented the transition from one mode of transport to another.
The Figur und Pferd cost around 315,000 francs. Transport alone from the St.Gallen art foundry cost 12,000 francs. This was to get it onto the roof in Zurich-West. This art is part of the city’s commitment to integrating art into construction projects.
Interestingly, the housing development below benefits too. There are 193 apartments for over 500 people. Zurich residents approved the project with a large majority in 2020. The apartments are scheduled to be ready in 2026.
Now, the Figur und Pferd. It stands as a symbol of Zurich’s blend of history and modernity. It reminds us of the past. It inspires us to think about the future. So, next time you are in Zurich-West, look up. A horse might just be watching you.