Britons become live sculptures in artist's project
Last Updated: Monday, July 6, 2009 | 12:22 PM ET
CBC News
Artist Antony Gormley talks to the media as Rachel Wardell, upper left, becomes the first participant for his work. For 100 days, 2,400 people will stand on the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, every hour, 24 hours a day. (Akira Suemon/Associated Press)A 35-year-old mother of two was the first person to be exhibited on a stone plinth in London's Trafalgar Square as part of a bold art exhibit, which will have 2,400 people involved by its end.
Called One & Other, the project is the brainchild of artist Antony Gormley who said he wanted to feature a "living picture" of the country "in all its wonderful difference."
Rachel Wardell, from Sleaford in northeast England, had the honour of being the first living sculpture at 9 a.m. local time Monday.
The participants were selected at random from thousands of applicants and include an Elvis impersonator and a female student who plans to wear a pigeon costume.
Costumes seem to be in vogue. Artist Suren Seneviratne, 22, said he would wear a black and white one when his turn comes up on Monday: "I'm meant to be a panda."
Seneviratne said he wanted to underline the plight of endangered species and plans to hold up a sign with his cellphone number so he can talk to people during his hour atop the seven-metre plinth.
The living sculptures are free to do whatever they want during their time in the spotlight. Wardell held a sign that promoted children's charities and said she found the experience "really relaxing."
The entire 100-day performance is being streamed online, too.
"I think it's wonderful. It's a really inclusive idea," said visitor Vee Wood about the art project.
The square was originally designed in 1838 — named for Admiral Horatio Nelson's 1805 triumph over the French and Spanish — as a way of honouring military leaders.
Nelson's one-armed statue stands at the centre of the square along with several other military leaders nearby.
The fourth plinth, built in 1841, has stood empty. It was meant to be an equestrian-themed statue but was never completed.
