Thursday, July 25, 2013

(15:38:18) Blue Cockerel Lands On Trafalgar Square Plinth Entert41nment5

Blue Cockerel Lands On Trafalgar Square Plinth Jul 25th 2013, 14:57

The pigeons in London's Trafalgar Square have been joined by a new feathered friend in the form of a giant blue cockerel.

The bird, which is 4.7m in height has been unveiled on the fourth plinth where it will sit for the next 18 months.

Called Hahn/Cock, it was created by German artist Katharina Fritsch.

Mayor Boris Johnson, who commissioned the piece, was on hand to welcome the rooster to its new home.

Fritsch's sculpture follows works by the likes of Marc Quinn and Yinka Shonibare in finding a temporary home on the plinth, while Antony Gormley encouraged members of the public to take a turn as part of his 2009 commission.

Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square - part of the Antony Gormley's One & Other project Members of the public took to the plinth in 2009

Mr Johnson said: "Katharina Fritsch commands tremendous respect internationally and her giant blue bird will provide a striking new focal as well as talking point for Londoners and tourists alike."

The once vacant plinth has become a showcase for temporary artworks over the past few years and Fritsch's sculpture was chosen from a shortlist of six potential contenders.

It replaces a 4.1m high bronze of a boy on a rocking horse that had been on the plinth since February 2012.

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