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Volunteers sought for Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent26.02.09
THOSE mad or exhibitionist enough to volunteer to stand on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth are now asked to make their intentions known.
Registration opens today for participants in what is set to be the most talked-about public artwork in Britain.
Artist Antony Gormley's idea of giving 2,400 people an hour in the limelight each as live statues on the fourth plinth will begin on 6 July.
The artwork, called One and Other, will run for 100 days until 14 October.
Gormley said there was "a degree of nervousness" as his vision became a reality.
"It's a very simple idea but once you start putting it into action it becomes more complex," he said.
"It's an artwork, there's no question about it. But the central question, in replacing bronze and stone with flesh, is what happens when life occupies the space of art?"
Placings on the plinth will be decided by random ballot, so even Gormley - who is also applying for the opportunity - is not guaranteed one. He said: "I have had an idea and asked the rest of the world to help me realise it. At that point, I have to treat myself in the same manner as everyone else."
One and Other will be produced by Artichoke, which brought street theatre The Sultan's Elephant to London in 2006. It has financial backing from Sky Arts.
The arts channel will run a 24-hour-a-day live feed on a website and will offer weekly updates of top plinth moments. Another live link will appear at the neighbouring National Portrait Gallery.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: "It's going to be a brilliant case of people coming to art and art coming to the people as people become the art."
The Greater London Authority is adding £140,000 towards the project, and the Arts Council another £80,000. More money will be raised privately. Planning permission has to be granted by Westminster City Council for all plinth sculptures.
Campaigners supporting a statue of Battle of Britain hero Sir Keith Park already have their own application lodged for a temporary siting on the plinth. Mr Johnson has pledged his backing for the work.
The contemporary commission would be erected for six months after Gormley's and before another - a scale replica of Lord Nelson's ship, HMS Victory, in a giant glass bottle by former Turner Prize nominee Yinka Shonibare.
■To register interest in participating in One and Other go to www.oneandother.co.uk. Formal applications will be requested in April.
Reader views (5)
I would like to stand on the plinth for one hour holding placard
1117 days to Flower on 3-stones HOLOCAUST Altar for Apollo
London Holy Games in Honour of Apollo
- Paul Pawlowski, burgess hill west sussex uk
This is the perfect location for a memorial statue to Diana, Princess of Wales. The plinth sat empty for over 150 years. Another twenty-five or so won't hurt. Perhaps then, Prince William will honor his late mother once he is William V.
- Caroline Davenport, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Why not place a statue of Gordon Brown on the plinth with the wording below.
'Gordon brown. he did to the English what wallace failed to do!'
- Bill Dolan, New Zealand
I favour inviting the whole Cabinet, and providing plenty of ripe tomatoes!
- Paul Freeman, London, England
I think this would be an excellent idea.
- Prem Pradip Khilas, London, England
