It’s time for a new statue on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square. As many of you may know, they change the statue every few years, giving artists a chance to do something unique with the place.
The last statue was a giant blue cockerel.
The chicken has given away to a giant horse skeleton statue. I have a feeling it will be terrifying small children for the next couple years…
A bid morbid perhaps, but rather neat in its own way.
About the statue:
Gift Horse by the German artist Hans Haacke, 78, is a skeletal, riderless horse inspired by the equestrian statue of William IV that was originally planned for the spot and based on an engraving by George Stubbs, the English painter whose famous painting of the racehorse Whistlejacket can be seen in the National Gallery nearby. But tied to the horse’s front leg is an electronic ribbon displaying live the ticker of the London Stock Exchange as the artist suggests connections between power, money and history at the location just up the road from Whitehall.
I’d much rather see the HMS Victory model that was there a few years ago stay there permanently.
Author: Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan is a consummate Anglophile who launched Anglotopia.net in 2007 to channel his passion for Britain. Londontopia is its sister publication dedicated to everything London.
This one is bizarre and the Stubbs reference will be lost on most people seeing it. Still I love that the authorities allow artistic expression in front of the National Gallery and the memorial to Trafalgar
Totally agree about HMS Victory model. Best one on the plinth so far.
Thank goodness they got rid of that blue cockerel. I was there last year and it was a real eye sore and detracted from the beauty of the Square. I’ll look forward to seeing this in person on our next trip.
Loved the Victory. Is there a way to vote on this, or is it just to be constant change?
It’s changed every couple of years. Rumor has it the 4th plinth is being reserved for HM The Queen when she passes (hopefully not for a long time yet!).