ARTINFO.com

Font Size Font Increase Font Decrease

Octagenarian, Poo Suit to Grace Gormley’s Fourth Plinth

Published: June 15, 2009
LONDON— The first group of participants for Antony Gormley's public art project One & Other was announced yesterday. Among those gearing up to take their places for one hour in July atop Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth are 19-year-old Heather Pringle, a student planning to celebrate her 20th birthday on the plinth; 44-year-old mediator Paul Hutchinson, who wants to do something peaceful with his time; and 83-year-old Gwynneth Pedler, who hopes to signal with semaphore flags.

They are an eclectic bunch, the 615 who have been chosen from 13,000 applications for participation in the project. Standout projects include that of David Rosenberg, 41, a designer from London who will spend his hour pedaling on a pink bicycle that will, in turn, generate energy to light up a custom-designed suit he'll be wearing. And perhaps the best-sounding so far, 26-year-old aquatic scientist Oliver Parsons-Baker will highlight the importance of clean water by dressing up in a poo costume for half his time. The other half will be spent in a fish costume to call attention to the dangers of overfishing.

Applicants not chosen this time around will remain in the running for future computer-generated drawings, of which there will be three more. The next pick will happen on July 1 for time slots in August (applications remain open through September 1). And if you're not in London but want to check out what's happening on the plinth, Sky Arts will broadcast all of the action live on the One & Other Web site through the project's end on October 14.

advertisements