Antony Gormley's Empty Plinth Project Interview

Trafalgar Square's Unused Plinth Becomes Focus of London's Art World

Aug 19, 2009

Read about Morag Eaton's experience of being "on the plinth". In 2009 people were invited to spend one hour on top of the remaining empty pedestal

This summer, sculptor Antony Gormley invited the public to help create an astonishing living monument in the center of London. He asked the people of the UK to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, a space normally reserved for statues of monarchs, heroes and generals. Between 14th July and 6th October 2009 the plinth became transformed into a "living art installation" in the heart of UK's capital city.

What is Antony Gormley's Plinth Project All About?

Every hour for 100 days a different person is invited to occupy the space. Gormley's idea is that the people who participate in the project will become an image of themselves, and a representation of the whole of humanity.

The offer, which was open to anyone living in the UK over the age of 16, proved to be extremely popular. 32,104 people applied via Antony Gormley's website for the 2,400 places. Spaces were allocated by drawing names out of a hat.

Morag Eaton, professionally trained fine artist, was one of the successful applicants who took her slot on 22nd July 2009, and agreed to be interviewed about the experience. This is what she had to say.

What Was it Like Being on the Plinth in Trafalgar Square?

Morag Eaton reported that during her hour on the plinth she did a drawing of the Trafalgar Square panorama which she plans to turn into a series of etchings entitled " The View from the Plinth". "I felt privileged " she went on to say "to be part of this vast and all encompassing Antony Gormley project, I like his work and was pleased to meet him at his One & Other offices. It was an extremely enjoyable experience and I am pleased that I won a space on the plinth."

What is Morag Eaton's Artistic Philosophy?

Morag, who recently returned to Yorkshire to continue her career as an artist says "I'm a native returned from exile. I'm absorbed with how the area I grew up in has changed - or not - in the time since I left. TIme erodes all with equal indifference. The act of biting metal in acid is a fast-frame example of how time corrodes."

If this article has whetted your appetite to see what is happening on the fourth plinth in London's Trafalgar Square, then why not log onto the live streaming web cam. Enjoy the hustle and bustle of Trafalgar Square night and day!

The copyright of the article Antony Gormley's Empty Plinth Project Interview in Art & Society is owned by Christine Fadhley. Permission to republish Antony Gormley's Empty Plinth Project Interview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.