Countdown to the Fourth Plinth
What is it for?
The Fourth Plinth is in the north-west of Trafalgar Square, in central London. Built in 1841, it was originally intended for a fixed "equestrian" statue but for some reason was left empty for many years.
Ken Livingstone, when Mayor of London, not only looked at Trafalgar Square and transformed it into a unique pedestrianised (pigeon-free) area he took the opportunity to engineer into it an invaluable role for the vacant plinth. It became the location for specially commissioned, though temporary, artworks, where each year artists are specially invited to submit proposals for works to be located on the plinth. There is something very refreshing about maintaining a space for change. It's very 'emptiness' has significance - in itself it could be an art work expressing potentiality...
Brilliant! thanks Ken.
a third way
The concept of utilising this vacant space in such a way is one of the best arts initiatives that has come about in recent years. What a relief that the space is not adorned with more celebrated slayers on horseback. On May day each year in Trafalgar Square it is nice to mews about Nelson's Column being transformed into a massive May Pole...! Maybe one day.
two good to be true
However the urge to use the space materialised. And a public art commissioning process came into being. Bringing with it 'competition', panels of experts, winners and losers.
Although questions can be raised as to who is 'invited' to submit works and who is invited to 'sit' on the 'Commissioning Group' an element of public consultation has been written into the process. The stated intention of the Fourth Plinth Programme is to "involve people in the debate about public art". The public is being given the opportunity to comment on the shortlisted proposals at a 2 month long exhibition of 'Plinth' maquettes hosted by the National Portrait Gallery. The public were able to view and comment on proposals submitted by invited artists, Jeremy Deller, Tracey Emin, Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Yinka Shonibare and Bob & Roberta Smith. The public's written comments were taken into consideration with "expert opinions" expressed by "The Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group" - who then advised the commissioners.
The outcome of this long procedure was recently announced and the artists for the next two commissions to be placed on the Fourth Plinth are:
More information about the Fourth Plinth and photos see:
http://www.artbid4ken.org.uk/ken.html
http://www.london.gov.uk/fourthplinth/
Antony Gormley's One & Other
"People of the UK... occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square", "Transform a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals, make an image of yourself, and become a representation of the whole of humanity for a day."
Sculptor Antony Gormley has invited the public to help create a living monument as his "Fourth Plinth" commission.
people really are taking part...
It was suggested that Gormley stood on the plinth for the duration 24/100 ..! And there are a few others too that it would be good to know where they are for 2400 hours.
Well if you've got plenty of time on your hands - and want to make an exhibition of yourself, put yourself forward and stand on a plinth in Trafalgar Square. You will definitely be famous for a bit longer than 15 minutes - unless of course you take a quick plunge into protective wire netting that's rigged up around the pllnth (those pesky H&S regs ) - and watch out for the pigeons!
next in line
Yinka Shonibare's elegant proposal "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" will follow.
There are moves to 'fix' the fourth plinth with a permanent work - this retrogressive move should be challenged. Whether you like the process of the 'Fourth Plinth' commissions, the works, or the selection process of artists, or the expert panels - having such a unique moment for art is worth fighting for.
Man gatecrashes Trafalgar's "4th Plinth' for 15 seconds of fame
Submitted by Jenni on Mon, 06/07/2009 - 17:14.
Oh dear... I thought a moment of serious art criticism hit the plinth this afternoon!
But no - it was, instead, anti-smoking protester Stuart Holmes who took the running jump.
Still, in or out of context, it's worth pondering on what the other one has said on other things in other places...
"One of the problems with recent academic critiques of the avant-garde is the way in which 'anti-art' has been conceptualised as privileging space over time. As a consequence, there has been little interest in viewing the avant-garde teleologically...." ("The Palingenesis of the avant-garde" - Stuart Home)