New Sculpture for vacant plinth at Trafalgar Square.
Two sculptures have been selected to be displayed on the vacant fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn and Hotel for the Birds by Thomas Schütte beat four other nominations. The winners were selected by the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group after taking comments from the public, who saw scale models at the National Gallery.
They will be shown for up to 18 months each from spring 2005, starting with Mr Quinn's disabled, pregnant woman. The other shortlisted contenders included a car covered with bird droppings and two life-size Tomahawk cruise missiles. The decision to recommend two works for the fourth plinth marks a departure for the commissioning group, which had originally intended to recommend a single work.
"Both of these proposals have extraordinary artistic value," said Sandy Nairne, chair of the group. "Though they could not be more different from each other, both sculptures will be of compelling interest to Londoners and visitors. "They will enhance London's reputation as a leader in the visual arts."
Broadcaster Jon Snow, part of the commissioning group, said the decision to recommend two works had as much to do with logistics as aesthetics. He said: "The fourth plinth has been empty for three years since the very successful commissions between 1999-2001. Thomas Schütte with his sculpture Hotel for the Birds Thomas Schütte's piece will "sparkle like a brightly-coloured jewel" "The selection of two works at this stage will jump-start the programme and put clear plans in place for installations over the next few years."
Mr Quinn's sculpture is to be made in white marble. Artist Alison Lapper, with whom Mr Quinn collaborated on the piece, said: "I regard it as a modern tribute to femininity, disability and motherhood. "It is so rare to see disability in everyday life - let alone naked, pregnant and proud."
Mr Schütte's piece will be made of acrylic. Andrea Schlieker, curator for the Fourth Plinth Sculpture Commission, said: "Multi-layered, mysterious, and promising to sparkle like a brightly-coloured jewel, Schütte's utopian architectural vision will have a powerful impact on Trafalgar Square." Every other year, artists from around the world will be invited to develop contemporary artwork for the landmark site as part of a rolling art programme.
Read what others are saying in response to this article over at the BBC