The Fourth Plinth

Tourist attraction · Charing Cross

The Fourth Plinth

Tourist attraction · Charing Cross

Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5NJ, United Kingdom

Highlights

Large 1841 stone platform, site of commissioned contemporary artworks that change annually.

Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5NJ, United Kingdom Get directions

london.gov.uk

@matadornetwork

"Trafalgar Square, with its fountains and the iconic Nelson Column surrounded by four lions, is London’s most popular public square. Located just in front of the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square is used for free cultural festivals, live street performances, political demonstrations, and public concerts. The Fourth Plinth stands tall in the northwest corner of the square and exhibits national and international artwork that is selected by a commissioning group every two years. Since March 2018, the piece displayed is The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist by artist Michael Rakowitz, a replica of an artifact destroyed by the Islamic State in Mosul in 2005. The Fourth Plinth is free to view and a great way to experience London’s art scene if you don’t have enough time to visit a gallery." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Art and Culture in London

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@matadornetwork

Trafalgar Square Fourth Plinth

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D B

Google

I told my teenage son about the fourth plinth and he added it to our list of things to see in London.

na p.

Google

I love huge displays so made an effort to visit The Fourth Plinth by Heather Phillipson. It is a cool oversized softserve or cream with a cherry on top. On the side is this realistic fly and a drone which captures and steams live. It was difficult finding the link for streaming but managed to find it in the end after I had left!

Piotr Az

Google

I love this project. The Fourth Plinth commission team decides which artwork to choose. So the artworks on plinth have been being changed. Now we have the artwork titled Antelope by Samson Kambalu Antelope presents Malawian Baptist preacher John Nkologo Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley. Name of the sculpture derives from the fact that Chilembwe's hat rises to two peaks, like antelope horns. I wonder what artwork will be next.

Nathan Jensen

Google

What we set on the Plinth reflects our aspirations, our priorities, our instructions to those who come after us. So when we visited Trafalgar Square last week to behold a giant ready-to-melt soft serve ice cream upon which rested a cherry, a giant house fly, and a quad drone livecasting its camera inputs to the internet, I was satisfied. This, I thought, is perfect. Western Civilization is safe for another generation.

dave pelton

Google

Funds ran out when it came to putting a permanent sculpture on the fourth plinth so every couple of years or so, a piece of artwork is commissioned by a panel led by the Lord Mayor. A great idea with some very controversial choices.

Koen

Google

Originally intended to hold the equestrian statue of William IV, the Fourth Plinth of Trafalgar Square remained empty for 158 years. During all those years, the fate of this pedestal was debated, until finally the decision was made that there should be a rolling program of temporary artworks. And so it happened....

Johna Wright

Google

such a beautiful square with places to relax and people-watch, and a monument which many kids were climbing on and enjoying.

Katie Thayer

Google

So random but so fun with a fly and a drone acting as a fly. I love how random this is and how out of place it seems but at the same time looks so great there and perfect location for so many to see and enjoy.