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Battle of Trafalgar: Wannabes line up for Fourth Plinth fame
Amar Singh15.05.09
An eclectic group of performers hoping to showcase their talents on the Fourth Plinth this year joined sculptor Antony Gormley at Trafalgar Square today.
From a “Wally-lookalike” to a knitting lover to a morris dancer and a member of the country's first “all-girl boy band”, more than 10,000 Brits have applied to take part in Gormley's innovative “living monument” project.
Entitled One & Other, the scheme is part of a rotating programme of contemporary art commissions for the Square's vacant plinth.
Every hour, 24 hours a day for 100 days between July and October a different person will take their place on the plinth as a “continuous monument in time”.
The applicants will be chosen randomly by a computer, but the process will ensure that all age groups and regions of Britain are represented.
Gormley said: “It is a very simple idea and is about life taking the place of art. People don't just want to see art, they want to participate in it too. It's about people coming together to do something extraordinary and unpredictable. It could be tragic but it could also be funny.”
The plinth, built in 1841, was originally intended for an equestrian statue. A planning application was submitted for Gormley's project a fortnight ago but Westminster council has not yet given it the go-ahead.
John Walker, head of development planning services, has warned: “The infrastructure needed to run the event will take up a significant amount of space in the square. We have serious concerns that the organisers are encouraging people to apply to take part when, like any other planning application, it needs to be properly considered.”
To find out how to apply see www.oneandother.co.uk
Reader views (5)
I think we'll look back and see this as a useful social document. It's great that ordinary people can have a voice again, especially with the clampdown on free speech. Well done everyone involved with this, and thank you Anthony Gormley.
- Alan Summers, Bradford on Avon
@Rogers: What is awful? Your comment? Your lack of interest? The negative comments that are coming from elsewhere such as Marsden? I know some of the people involved and they are very excited about what they are doing. What would you have done?
- Alan, London, UK
Awful.
- Nicholas J. Rogers, London, UK
Anthony Gormley must be one of the most over rated artists in the country. Lazy, silly, gimmicky idea. Isn't it time the art world moved on to a more intelligent phase?
- James Marsden, Cambridge, UK
Let's hope the event goes ahead. There are a lot of people getting very excited at the prospect of being even a small part of an Antony Gormley installation. My contribution revolves around as social media event - follow me on Twitter @aitchpeeone to find out more.
- Hugo Pickering, Chipping Norton, UK
