Fourth Plinth, Art installation in Trafalgar Square, England
This installation is a stone platform in the northwest corner of Trafalgar Square that has supported large-scale contemporary artworks since the late 1990s. The platform sits at the same height as the other three plinths on the square and forms an open exhibition space in the heart of the city centre.
The pedestal remained empty for over 150 years after its completion in 1841 because funds for a planned equestrian statue were never secured. In the late 1990s officials decided to use the vacant space permanently for rotating art projects.
Since 1999 the platform has presented rotating commissions chosen through a public selection process, often exploring themes of identity or community. Each sculpture remains visible for about two years and becomes a topic of conversation among passersby and visitors from around the world.
The installation is accessible around the clock and can be viewed from the square without any admission charge. The artwork is easiest to see in daylight when approaching from the north side of the square.
The rotating artworks often spark public debates about contemporary issues that extend far beyond the art world. Some sculptures invite viewers to participate actively or contain hidden details that only become apparent with longer observation.
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