The famous ‘Fourth Plinth’ in the shadow of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square will be used to create a unique experiment in performance art this summer by making it available for anyone to occupy for an hour. Successful applicants can use the plinth as they choose – to perform, demonstrate, act, sing or just display themselves, in a space normally reserved for statues of monarchs and great military leaders. For 100 days from July 6 to October 14, 2,400 people will be able to monopolize the space in turn around the clock.
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The project, One & Other, the idea of acclaimed British sculptor Anthony Gormley, is open to anyone aged 16 or over living or staying in the UK and has simple rules: you must stand on the plinth alone, for the whole hour; you can do whatever you want, provided it’s legal; and you can take anything with you that you can carry. Participants will be selected at random but a computer will ensure an even number of males to females, and already more than 8000 people have registered.
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The Fourth Plinth has been largely unused since Sir Charles Barry designed it in 1841 to house an equestrian statue of King William IV which was never made, but in recent years it has been fought over by the art world. In 1999 the Royal Society of Arts conceived the Fourth Plinth Project, which used it for a succession of works by contemporary artists, beginning with Ecce Homo, by Mark Wallinger (1999), then Regardless of History, by Bill Woodrow (2000) and Monument, by Rachel Whiteread (2001). One & Other will replace Thomas Schutte’s Model for a Hotel 2007, which succeeded Marc Quinn’s Alison Lapper Pregnant.
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Anthony Gormley said: “This is about, in some way, challenging the idea that only some people, people who are heroes or have served for their country, have the right to occupy plinths.”  As the occupants of the other three plinths are a king and two generals, now is the time for literally anyone to make his idea a reality by registering at oneandother.co.uk. The first draw will be on June 1, 2009 for places on the plinth in July. The entire event will be broadcast live on www.oneandother.co.uk and on the Sky Arts website.