Public art: Britons of all shapes and sizes take turns on Trafalgar Square plinth

Britons turn living statues atop London plinth

LONDON — Members of the British public have begun appearing on a plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square as part of an ambitious art project.

Thiry-five-year-old Rachel Wardell was the first of 2,400 people who will each stand on the pedestal for an hour. They have been chosen at random from thousands of applicants.

The project artist Antony Gormley’s idea. He says it will provide a portrait of modern Britain in all its variety.

Some participants will sing, knit or just stand there.

London Mayor Boris Johnson says the event was a “spontaneous and wonderful happening.”

It was even more spontaneous than planned on Monday, when an anti-smoking protester clambered atop the plinth before the kickoff. He descended after a few minutes.