Fourth Plinth Sculpture
The Fourth Plinth is in the north-west of Trafalgar Square, in central London. Built in 1841, it was originally intended for an equestrian statue but was empty for many years. It is now the location for specially commissioned art works.
Thomas Schutte’s Model for a Hotel 2007 is the latest creation selected to occupy the north-west corner spot. The eight ton, 16ft (5m) sculpture is made from layers of colored glass said to “collect and reflect the light… like a bright jewel”.
Thomas Schütte is one of the most important artists of his generation. Since the 1970s he has produced a diverse body of work, including figurative sculpture, architectural models, ceramics and watercolors. The German artist’s sculpture Model for a Hotel 2007 is an architectural model of a twenty-one storey building. It is made of specially engineered colored glass which will collect and reflect the light.
The Fourth Plinth program is part of the Mayor’s vision for Trafalgar Square to be a vibrant public space and to encourage debate about the place and value of public art in the built environment.
