Antony Gormley invited Artichoke to produce his epic commission for Trafalgar Square’s ‘empty’ fourth plinth in July 2009. The idea: to place 2400 people from across the UK on the plinth for an hour each. Trafalgar Square is one of the most symbolic places in the country. By taking their place amongst military figures the ‘plinthers’ came to represent humanity itself.
One & Other was open to anyone who was over the age of 16 living or staying in the UK. A computer chose participants based a proportional geographical spread and a gender split.
Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days, 2400 people sang, campaigned, performed, undressed or simply stood on the plinth. Thousands watched them from the Square. Even more tuned in to watch the live stream on the website, provided by our partners Sky Arts.There were over 35,000 applicants for the 2400 slots. The website has received 8.8 million hits to date, by over 800,000 individuals.
One & Other will have a legacy beyond the summer of 2009. Random House is producing a 700-page book, which will be published in late 2010. The British Library is ensuring that the website will remain online for perpetuity and the Wellcome Trust will be archiving details of all participants. Not only was this the event of the summer; it will provide a snapshot of British society at the end of the decade.
Companies
Artichoke
- Charity