The sculpture is by artists Elmgreen and Dragset. This dynamic duo work within the medium of sculptural and architectural installations and the fourth plinth must have been a tantalising opportunity for their particular brand. They have experienced increased critical acclaim and success during the 2000's. And their successful proposal for the fourth plinth which has been host to work by other significant contemporary artists including Marc Quinn and Antony Gormley will no doubt add to this.
There is a self-evident playfulness to this work particularly when set up against the serious and intentionally awe-inspiring equestrian sculptures on the other plinths in Trafalgar Square.
The sculpture is intended to act as an alternative to this visual language which refers to victory and power. Instead, this joyful sculpture creates a ‘non-powerful’ element within the square, suggesting that life is not always about victory or defeat.
The sculpture is just a new layer in the rich heritage of the fourth plinth of which here are just a couple of my favourite examples.
Marc Quinn, Alison Lapper pregnant, 2005
Thomas Schütte Model for a Hotel 2007
And Finally ...
Yinka Shonibare, Ship in a Bottle, 2011
A campaign has been launched by the Art Fund to purchase Ship in a Bottle for the National Maritime museum for information visit : http://www.artfund.org/ship/
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