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One of London's top gallery directors stepped into the breach when one of the Trafalgar Square “plinthers” failed to turn up.
Sandy Nairne, director of the National Portrait Gallery, admitted he was surprised to take a phone call beseeching him to keep the fourth plinth occupied.
It was the first time an allotted occupant had failed to take their place in Antony Gormley's living sculpture artwork, One & Other.
A system of reserves has been arranged among people close to the project and working nearby so that Gormley's vision of a plinth never empty is fulfilled.
But Mr Nairne was the first to be called on. Indeed, he was the first organisers managed to contact once the scheduled plinther failed to arrive at 5.30pm last night for safety briefings. Mr Nairne was called at 5.50pm and given 10 minutes to get to the square to prepare for the 7pm slot. He said the caller did not seem to know who he was.
It gave him just enough time to borrow a waterproof — which wasn't needed — and buy a sketch book in which he drew a panoramic view from the top of the plinth.
“I didn't think I would get called,” he admitted. “But it is a wonderful thing, no question. I've been near to the plinth, but never on top of it. There's a fabulous view. And I'm quite happy to have been a little part of the 2,400 people on the plinth.”
The gallery director — who used to be in charge of choosing which artist's work went on the plinth — phoned his friend Antony Gormley to explain the turn of events. The artist, who was in Holland, watched Mr Nairne's efforts on a live online feed.
“He laughed out loud,” Mr Nairne said. “And he said, I can see over your shoulder and see what you are drawing'.”
The identity of the no-show is not known because they had indicated they wanted no publicity.
Today's occupants will include Julia Lalla-Maharajh, from Westminster, who at midday intends to use roses to make a symbolic protest at the practice of female genital mutilation.
More than 22,000 people have applied for the 2,400 plinther places. One & Other runs until 14 October.
www.oneandother.co.uk
