Trafalgar Square to host giant child on rocking horse
A subversive equestrian statue – a child on a rocking horse – is set to grace the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square from next month.
The statue, by Scandinavian artist duo Elmgreen and Dragset, is the latest in a rolling programme of installations for the Fourth Plinth and was chosen at the beginning of last year following a public vote.
Entitled Powerless Structures, Fig 101, the cast-bronze sculpture features a small boy playing on his rocking horse. Placed alongside the iconography of other statues in the square, the artists say the boy is ‘elevated to the status of historical hero’.
They continue, ‘The boy’s features gently mimic the authoritarian pose often found in the tradition of equestrian sculptures, but his gesture is one of pure excitement. There will be no tragic consequences resulting from his imaginary conquest.’
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who commissioned the rolling artwork project alongide Arts Council England, says, ‘With its nod to equestrianism I hope it augers well for medal glory at the 2012 Games.’
The rocking horse will be in place for a year, before being replaced by Katherina Fritsch’s Hahn/Cock blue cockerel installation, which will get a year-long tenure in 2013.
Powerless Structures, Fig 101 will be unveiled in London’s Trafalgar Square on 23 February.
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