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Nudists on the Fourth Plinth? Could Be

by Zoe Strimpel
Sun, 29 Jun 2008 at 5:27 PM

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The sculptor Antony Gormley is one of two winners of the competition for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, beating a short list that included Jeremy Deller, Tracey Emin, Anish Kapoor, and Bob and Roberta Smith. His "One and Other" and Yinka Shonibare's "Nelson's Ship in a Bottle" will succeed Thomas Schütte's "Model for a Hotel 2007." Mr. Shonibare, of Nigerian heritage, triumphed with his scale model of Nelson's ship, HMS Victory.

Mr. Gormley's "One and Other" was the least practical of the submissions; nobody could accuse London of not pulling out the logistical stops in the name of art. If Mr. Gormley's "work" is executed as he intends, members of the public, chosen by lottery, will stand on the plinth 24/7 for 100 days.

There's a hitch, though, that the civic authorities hadn't perhaps considered. At a press conference last week, Mr. Gormley outlined the types of people he envisions going on show; alongside the "paraplegic" and "Shakespearean actor" was "the naturist." Ooops, naked people in public could be a problem: Laws dictate their arrest. Scotland Yard told the Times of London: "Should [an exhibitionist go up on the plinth] and there were complaints from members of the public during the art exhibition — for want of a better word — it would be assessed at the time and appropriate action taken." Sounds like there may be some, erm, room for maneuver then. After all, this is art.

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