Sorry to have missed out on the third tranch of OneAndOther ballot selections, even though I was glad not to have had to give up a place had I been selected for August. Preferrring to be in NZ!
4th Pillar update – June
The first ballot for places on @OneAndOther on the 4th Pillar took place on the 1 June. With over 1850 people signed up from the South East area’s 334 places, anyone’s chance was only about 18% anyway (only a 5% chance in London area). And I wasn’t one of the first tranch selected, for July. But do check out the site to see what some folks are planning to get up to.
Now I have a tricky issue, as I am going all antipodean for most of August, so I will be livid if I get selected somewhere in that month, and have to forfeit my place…
Panoramas, Hakas and Plinths
The Aotearoa-New Zealand High Commission in London is in a 18-storey tower-block called New Zealand House, a stones-throw from Trafalgar Square. The views from the top are spectacular – it is the tallest building for miles around that part of central London. Not quite as tall or as elegant as Skytower in Auckland, but good none-the-less.
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Historically, Kiwi citizens were able, on the production of a NZ passport to visit the penthouse suite at the top of the London tower block and appreciate it’s spectacular panoramic views.
For years, Kay had to wait downstairs, as Kiwi friends and visitors had the chance to view London from this unique vantage-point. When she finally got her own kiwi passport (she has dual UK/NZ nationality), and the opportunity to rise to the top floor, threats of terrorism prevented access to the public after all!
Kay has finally discovered a way to get up there though. A number of organisations run events in the penthouse suite, for example KEA, (‘New Zealand’s Global Talent Community’ – never backward in coming forward these Kiwis!) presents Continue reading “Panoramas, Hakas and Plinths”
Ten Thousand – and One Other
Aside: 10,001 on #OneAndOther .
I promise not to post too many times on the One & Other project on the Fourth Plinth site in Trafalgar Square, but in less than a fortnight over 10,000 people have signed up for an hour on the plinth.
When I first applied (see image on my last post in this thread) I was within the national totals, with a chance of getting in. You can see a regional map of how applications are going on the One & Other site.
You can track One & Other info on Twitter too. I have been logging/twittering the change percentages on there.
In the South East, the current chance of being picked in the ballot is 21.6%, down from 24% and 29% within the last week. The worst chance you stand of getting a place in the ballot is the London area, with over 4,500 people trying for just over 300 places, making only a 6.6% chance of being picked: your best chance remains to live in or move to Northern Ireland, with a 73% chance (currently) of getting picked.
I have had trouble finding the details about the Borsetshire figures, but I am sure that Lynda Snell is making too many waves about the whole project, keeping it all in the public eye, reducing everybody’s chance of getting on in the the so-called interests of maximising publicity and participation. Pah!
Public Platform
OK, so you have a chance for a national platform.
What are you going to do? What are you going to say?
Antony Gormley, of Angel of the North fame, has a new project up his sleeve. And maybe up your sleeve too.
The Fourth Plinth, in the North-west corner of Trafalgar Square is the only one that does not have a permanent sculpture on it.
The Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, an initiative of the Greater London Authority jointly funded by the Mayor of London and Arts Council England, has commissioned Antony Gormley/One & Other to produce a new work of art, and for it, he is planning to use 2,400 individuals each allowed on to the plinth for just one hour each, between July & October 2009.
How do I get onto the plinth?
You will be put onto the plinth by means of a special mobile lift designed for the purpose.
What can I do when I’m on the plinth?
You are free to do whatever you like, provided it’s legal!
What will I do, if I get the chance to be on there? Well, I think something visual, as I think something audio isn’t going to work well. I might, if I get selected, pursue a long-held interest in signing, possibly trying to use some British Sign Language. Wife & No.2 daughter are already well on in evening classes, and I am rather jealous. And without being offensive to those of other religions, I would like to do something on the plinth – should I get the chance – that reflects my Christian faith.
Well with the opportunity of such a national platform, being set on such a pedestal, what would you do?
When I got my application in, they were still under the 2,400 required (see above) – but fear not, all places are going to be randomly apportioned, making allowance for gender and approximate area distribution across the country. So if you would like to join in, than apply by clicking below. Looking at the regional map, after the first 24 hours, over 5,000 had applied, and proportionately, if you were from Northern Ireland, you stood the strongest chance of gaining a place.
Amongst previous occupants of the Fourth Plinth is the beautiful Alison Lapper, in the white marble sculpture by Marc Quinn:
Made as she was pregnant and expecting her son Parys, Alison (an artist in her own right) has brought him up on her own, even though she was born without arms. The sculpture and the person are both exquisite; a moving, breathing Venus de Milo. Alison, like so many, is able in ways that I and others are not; and dis-abled is such an inappropriate, ill-informed and presumptive descriptor.