Trafalgar Square Sculpture

When
07 November 2007 -
31 December 2008

n/a

Where
Trafalgar Square

Cost
Free

Age Restrictions
n/a

The last Trafalgar Square sculpture to cause such a stir was the cast of artist Alison Lapper, whose giant naked eight and a half month pregnant form graced the fourth pillar in the square for some time. Now Marc Quinn's piece has been replaced by another sculpture that will court no less controversy.

The fourth pillar in the square is now filled by the work of Thomas Schutte, whose work is a coloured glass sculpture entitled Model for a Hotel 2007. This new Trafalgar Square sculpture has been delayed in its unveiling since April, but is now open to the elements and the gaze of the public from November this year.

Based on a drawing called Hotel for The Birds, the new Trafalgar Squre sculpture on the fourth plinth is an architectural model consisting of vertical and horizontal lines of yellow, cream and pink. With 21 storeys, the elegant new sculpture collects and reflects the light across the square, making an unusual and unique addition to the traditional style statues already in residence. Set to become a staple landmark for the next 18 months, the new Trafalgar Square sculpture is sure to have those who love and those who hate it, both from the city itself and visitors to the capital.

Regarded as one of the most public art spaces in the country, Trafalgar Square receives millions of visits from tourists and Londoners every day. With the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery just off the square, the area is renowned for its events and artistic exhibitions, and so the new Trafalgar Square sculpture is bound to have people divided.

As the Alison Lapper Pregnant sculpture caused divisions amongst the art and the disabled communities, the Model for a Hotel may well offend those that want to keep the pigeons out of public areas in the city. Given the original title intended the sculpture as a hotel for birds, Londoners may find that the square's resident pigeons have set up home in it before too long. And what with the Mayor of London's ban on feeding the birds in Trafalgar Square, at least they won't be homeless.

Thomas Schutte's work, Model for a Hotel was unveiled on 7th November as the fourth pillar Trafalgar Square Sculpture.

For more information on the fourth plinth itself, and the rotation of artists to locate their work here, visit the official website below.

Fourth Plinth Website.