Exploring the capitalist systems we participate in, both willingly and unwillingly, The Horses Neighing Worsens Our Solitude and Sorrow—or simply Horses—examines our relationship with the unrelenting capitalist process and its pervasive impact on society. This project is grounded in research on the geopolitical, economic, and cultural state of the world during the late 1990s and early 20 00s, a time characterized by rapid globalization, technological advancement, and the intensification of neoliberal economic policies. During this period, capitalism appeared unstoppable—stocks soared, consumer culture flourished, and a sense of boundless opportunity dominated the cultural zeitgeist. However, this era also sowed the seeds of economic inequality, environmental exploitation, and cultural homogenization, all of which continue to shape our world today.
The metaphor of "horses" was chosen to capture the relentless drive of capitalism, inspired by the quote that gives the project its name. Found in an anonymous poem on an online forum, the phrase “The horses neighing worsens our solitude and sorrow” evokes a sense of both urgency and despair. Horses, often associated with power, progress, and labor, serve as a symbol of capitalism's relentless momentum—always moving forward, often at the expense of those caught in its path. Just as horses are driven to exhaustion in service to their riders, capitalism demands unceasing productivity and growth, often leaving individuals and communities behind in its wake.
To visually explore these themes, Horses combines abstract iconography, imagery, and media to paint a fragmented and surreal portrait of capitalism. The choice of abstraction reflects the complexity and omnipresence of the capitalist system, which often operates invisibly yet profoundly shapes every aspect of our lives. For example, abstract symbols might include graphs and charts representing economic growth, juxtaposed with images of environmental degradation or exhausted workers. Media from the 90s and 2000s—such as advertisements, corporate logos, and early internet graphics—are recontextualized to highlight the contradictions of an era defined by both optimism and exploitation.
Through this project, Horses seeks to provoke reflection on the ways capitalism infiltrates our lives, shaping our aspirations, relationships, and even our sense of self. By combining research, metaphor, and visual experimentation, it offers a critical lens on a system that promises endless progress yet often leaves us feeling isolated and disillusioned, much like the haunting image of the horses in the quote. The video includes original music produced by myself with additional guitar by Francis Gallagher
Research
https://www.are.na/calder-anderson/studio-project-horses-anti-capitalist-consumerism