Public art -- literally -- for London's Trafalgar Sq

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

LONDON (AFP) — Public art will soon take on a literal meaning after London Mayor Boris Johnson on Monday announced an unusual new commission for the city's Trafalgar Square.

Award-winning sculptor Antony Gormley's concept "One And Other" was chosen as one of the next works for the landmark square, using up to 2,400 volunteers to occupy the "empty" fourth plinth around the clock for 100 consecutive days.

Johnson chose the proposal and a second by Yinka Shonibare that pays homage to Britain's most famous naval commander, Admiral Horatio Nelson, whose statue gazes down from the towering column which is the square's historic centrepiece.

"It was obviously a tough decision," the mayor said after announcing the winners from a six-strong shortlist. "All of the...