Public take to Fourth Plinth as works of art

July 6, 2009 9:18 AM

A housewife from Lincolnshire will today become the first member of the public to take to Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth as part of Antony Gormley's latest art project.

Normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals, 2,400 people will each spend one hour on the famous London plinth as a "representation of the whole of humanity".

Over 14,500 people applied to become 'living statues' - where they were told they could do anything they wanted on the Plinth - throughout the 100 day project which runs 24 hours per day.

Picked at random, first up is 35-year-old Rachel Wardell, who will hold a Giant Green Lollipop to raise awareness of the work of the charity NSPCC.

Luckily Rachel got a good time slot but spare a thought for the unfortunate artworks who will be standing on the plinth at 3am on a Saturday morning ... practicing their kebab dodging skills.

Rachel said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I want to spend my hour on the Plinth doing something for children.

Antony Gormley, renowned for iconic works that include The Angel of the North, said: "The idea is very simple. Through putting a person onto the plinth, the body becomes a metaphor, a symbol.

"In the context of Trafalgar Square with its military, valedictory and male historical statues, this elevation of everyday life to the position formerly occupied by monumental art allows us to reflect on the diversity, vulnerability and particularity of the individual in contemporary society."

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