Britons turn living statues atop London column
LONDON — It’s art for the people, of the people — and definitely by the people.
A 35-year-old mother-of-two stepped onto an 23 foot-high (7 meter-high) stone plinth in Trafalgar Square on Monday, kicking off an ambitious art project that puts members of the British public on display in the iconic plaza alongside statues of the country’s military heroes.
Artist Antony Gormley, who came up with the idea, said it would provide “a living picture” of Britain “in all its wonderful difference.”
The 2,400 participants, chosen at random from thousands of applicants, include an Elvis impersonator, a man on a folding pink bicycle and a woman dressed as a pigeon. Each will spend an hour on the 5 foot by 14 foot (1.5 meter by 4.3 meter) plinth — a statue’s base — and all are free to do whatever they want with the time.
Gormley said the 100-day event would reveal “the things we find funny, the things we find scary, the things we care about, the things we love.”
The performance — dubbed “One & Other” and broadcast live on the Internet — is the latest in a series of artworks to occupy an empty “fourth plinth” in the northwest corner of the square, which is also home to Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery.
Rachel Wardell, a full time mother from Sleaford in northeast England, was the first participant to be hoisted onto the plinth by a mechanical lifter. She held a sign promoting children’s charities and occasionally waved to people below. Afterward, she described the experience as “really relaxing.”
Next up was Jason Clark, a 41-year-old surgical nurse from Brighton in southern England, who said he planned to stand, look around, take a few pictures and read a book if he got bored.
“I’m not a performer,” he said. “I’m just up there representing slightly receding 41-year-olds.
“I think not actually doing something is pretty interesting — it will get people questioning what I am doing there.”
Other participants had more ambitious plans. Elvis impersonator Mark Fitch, 39, planned to pay tribute to the King. Designer David Rosenberg, 41, said he would pedal a pink bicycle to generate electricity to light up his specially constructed suit. Student Heather Knight, 21, planned to wear a pigeon costume, and aquatic scientist Oliver Parsons-Baker, 26, said he would highlight the importance of clean water by dressing up as excrement.
Artist Suren Seneviratne, 22, was waiting his turn Monday dressed in a black-and-white costume with fuzzy ears.
“I’m meant to be a panda,” he said. “My girlfriend made it for me.”
Seneviratne said he was highlighting the plight of endangered species — “and actually, I just like pandas.” He also planned to hold up a sign with his cell phone number, encouraging passers-by to phone him while he is atop the plinth.
Trafalgar Square was designed in 1838 as London’s first public square and named for Adm. Horatio Nelson’s 1805 victory over the French and Spanish fleets. A statue of the one-armed admiral stands atop Nelson’s Column at the center of the square, and statues of other 19th-century military leaders are nearby.
The fourth plinth was built in 1841 for an equestrian statue that was never completed and stood empty for a century and a half. It has been occupied since 1999 by a series of new artworks, including in 2005 the controversial sculpture “Alison Lapper Pregnant,” of a naked armless pregnant woman.
Visitors to the square Monday seemed intrigued by the human artwork in front of them. Gormley is one of Britain’s post popular artists, best known for the “Angel of the North,” a giant sculpture of a figure with outstretched arms that stands beside a highway in northeast England
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Vee Wood, visiting London from Swansea in Wales. “It’s a really inclusive idea.”
London Mayor Boris Johnson praised the event as a “spontaneous and wonderful happening.”
Unpredictability is part of the event’s appeal — and a worry for organizers. A net has been placed around the plinth in case of mishaps or suicide attempts, and organizers are relaxed about the prospect that some participants may take off their clothes. The Web site carries a warning that it “may contain offensive content.”
The element of unpredictability was illustrated Monday when an anti-smoking protester clambered atop the plinth minutes before the start time.
Stuart Holmes held a banner saying “Save the children — ban tobacco and actors smoking.”
He descended after a few minutes, and Gormley accepted his intervention in the spirit of the work.
“I was worried that he might not leave,” Gormley said. “But he did … and that’s lovely.”
On the Net: www.oneandother.co.uk
Related News
Cowell gets 179 mirrors for 50th birthdayOctober 7th, 2009 LONDON - Talent-hunt show mogul Simon Cowell received 179 mirrors for his 50th birthday Wednesday from friends and family. "They came in all shapes and sizes - big ones, small ones, full-length ones, even dental ones so I can look at my teeth.
Simon Cowell gets 179 mirrors for 50th b'day!October 7th, 2009 LONDON - Simon Cowell has reportedly been gifted 179 mirrors for his birthday on October 7. Pals of the 50-year-old music mogul were said to have shelled out on mirrors ranging in different shapes and sizes.
Britons want more elderly people on TV screensOctober 1st, 2009 LONDON - Almost half of Britons want to see more older people on television, revealed a recent survey. The Sky News panel survey was conducted as part of Older People's Day, which recognises the contributions made to society by its elderly citizens.
Kelly Brook goes 'Skyriding' to promote bicycles in LondonSeptember 21st, 2009 LONDON - Kelly Brook took to the saddle to promote bicycles in London recently. She was joined by 50,000 riders on a route across the city's historical landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London.
Garrison Keillor writes he's 'essentially unscathed' but 'touched by mortality' after strokeSeptember 16th, 2009 Keillor: Minor stroke is reminder of mortalityMINNEAPOLIS — Humorist and author Garrison Keillor writes that a minor stroke he suffered last week left him "essentially unscathed, though touched by mortality."
Keillor drove himself to a St. Paul hospital after feeling ill, then was taken to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.
Sharon Stone sports toned body at 51September 4th, 2009 LONDON - American actress Sharon Stone has proved that she can still look hot and sexy at 51, after she showed off her toned body. Stone flaunted her curves as she tested the water from the back of a yacht moored off Sardinia, reports the Sun.
Charlotte Church has dropped three dress sizesAugust 31st, 2009 LONDON - Welsh singer Charlotte Church has reportedly dropped three dress sizes in the recent past. She was recently spotted during the christening of son Dexter Lloyd at St Mary's in Cardiff.
Sharon Stone strips at 51!August 23rd, 2009 LONDON - Hollywood actress Sharon Stone has again caused a stir as the "Basic Instinct" star has stripped at the age of 51 for a magazine. Newsoftheworld.co.uk reports, the mother-of-three still had no problems peeling off despite her age.
Comedian Ben Stein loses NY Times business column after pitching for credit monitoring companyAugust 8th, 2009 Ben Stein loses NY Times column over endorsementNEW YORK — Monotone TV personality Ben Stein has been stripped of his Sunday New York Times business column because of his work as a pitchman for a credit monitoring company. New York Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis released a statement Friday that said the newspaper decided it would not be appropriate for Stein to pitch for FreeScore.com while writing his column.
Public art: Britons of all shapes and sizes take turns on Trafalgar Square plinthJuly 6th, 2009 Britons turn living statues atop London plinthLONDON — Members of the British public have begun appearing on a plinth in London's Trafalgar Square as part of an ambitious art project. Thiry-five-year-old Rachel Wardell was the first of 2,400 people who will each stand on the pedestal for an hour.
Sparkle of 300,000 crystals in Jackson's showsJune 24th, 2009 LONDON - Pop legend Michael Jackson is using 300,000 Swarovski crystals to light up his sets and costumes in his comeback shows. The "Thriller" singer, whose 50-night "This Is It" residency at London's O2 arena begins next month, will have over 1 million pounds worth of gems in 53 shapes, 40 sizes and 27 colours added onto his costumes and the stage to dazzle fans, reports contactmusic.com.
How Britons open bank statements reveal their 'financial personality'June 3rd, 2009 LONDON - How Britons open their bank statements-whether quickly and with relish or slowly and gingerly-reveals a lot about their "financial personality", according to new research. Researchers from Reader's Digest, which offers money advice, analysed the spending habits of 1,417 adults and revealed that there are five different approaches to the way people handle money.he experts categorised 59.3 per cent of British residents as "amblers" who drift along not checking our bank balances until trouble hits.
Devastated Peter Andre loses a stone after Katie Price splitMay 26th, 2009 LONDON - Heartbroken Peter Andre has lost almost a stone following his split with wife Katie Price a.k.a Jordan. While writing in his New! Magazine column, the English-born Australian singer said that he spent last week feeling like a zombie and has vowed not to reveal anything about his bitter split with the glamour model.
Stone, Gere, Jones, Carey gather for opening of Europe's most expensive hotelMay 25th, 2009 LONDON - Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Sir Tom Jones, and Mariah Carey were among celebrities who played guests at the opening of the 800 million pound Mardan Palace resort in Antalya, Turkey. The recession defying bash also saw the presence of Paris Hilton, actress Monica Bellucci and singer Seal amongst 600 guests feasting on beluga caviar, lobsters and Dom Perignon.
Recession-hit Brits turn to net for loveMay 14th, 2009 LONDON - Lovesick Britons looking for low-cost ways to find potential partners have turned to the Internet. According to analysts Mintel, more than 40 percent of singletons have signed up to an online dating agency or are thinking of doing so - hoping they'll click with that special someone.
Loading ...