The fourth plinth in the northwest corner was originally intended for a statue of William IV but the funds for the statue were never raised in part due to the latter's lack of popularity. Since then the plinth has been put to a variety of uses, including live art with people standing for an hour and doing "something". It currently contains a 1:30 scale replica of HMS Victory in a giant glass bottle.
Although plans have been discussed for a permanent statue, including Princess Diana, for the foreseeable future there will be a change each year. In 2012 there will be a boy on a rocking horse and in 2013, a 14 foot high blue cockerel...
I personally think that this is a great idea and like the current "ship in a bottle". There is a great 360 picture of Trafalgar Square here.
I think we ought to have a statue there moulded in 'Tom of Finland' style. It doesn't have to be naked (though that would be nice), only so super-butch that its presence would raise eyebrows and entertain us as well as the pigeons.
ReplyDeleteI thought about posting re: the fourth plinth the other day when the latest announcements were made.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite to date has been Rachel Whiteread's contribution (the inverted resin cast of the plinth).
Yes Raybeard, I think London is ready for this...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tomoffinlandfoundation.org/foundation/Announcements/Images/an_2009_02_06_ToF_XXL.jpg
Umm...Tom of Finland! I vote for that.
ReplyDeleteI loved the 360 picture. Amazing!