Hahn/Cock, Contemporary sculpture in Trafalgar Square, London
Hahn/Cock is a fiberglass sculpture in the City of Westminster, London, depicting a bright blue rooster standing 5 meters tall. The smooth surface gleams in daylight and the intense ultramarine blue contrasts sharply with the historic surroundings of the square.
The sculpture stood on the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Square from 2013 to 2015 as part of a program for contemporary art. After that period the work moved to the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., where it is now displayed.
German artist Katharina Fritsch created this oversized blue rooster as a commentary on male dominance in public art. The choice of a rooster refers to its symbolism as an animal associated with male confidence and creates a dialogue with the historical monuments around it.
The work is no longer visible at Trafalgar Square but is now permanently located in a museum in the United States. Those interested in contemporary art in public spaces can visit the current Fourth Plinth with its rotating installations.
The title appears in both German and English to honor the origin of the artist and the international context of the installation. The color choice carries additional meaning because blue is traditionally associated with male figures in Western iconography.
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