Trafalgar Square in London is the home of what is called the “4th Plinth” and it is where works of art are displayed for a period of time before being replaced with something new. In some of my past articles you may well have seen other such objects. At the time of writing there is a 4 metre tall blue cockerel standing on this plinth as proud as can be. Fortunately it does not have a voice – or does it?
The other three plinths have long standing monuments, and, as many people know, the Square is also world famous for the lions that are usually being climbed over by people form all corners of the globe.
The blue cockerel, or Hahn/Cock, is the work of Katharina Fritsch, a German sculptor, and her interpretation is a ‘take’ on the masculinity of the square.
As you can see in this rather dull picture taken on an overcast day, there is much going on, and it is often a wonderful place to people watch. On this day there was a man creating huge bubbles, just like the ones we blew as children, albeit ours were on a much smaller scale. These bubbles captivated the children, and some adults, as they floated in the air. The children sometimes trying to jump up and burst them, sometimes watching with wonderment, sometimes shouting with glee.
All of the time though there is this presence of the blue cockerel. It reminded me of the comment that goes along the lines: sometimes the way we look says so much about us, others cannot hear what we are saying. Is that what this occupant of the 4th Plinth was doing to me, I wondered.
Oddly, I have been carrying around this image in my minds eye for days now, and it wont budge. I do hope that by writing some words it may dislodge the thought for a while! So whilst it stands there silently overseeing the passing crowds, perhaps others are caught under the spell of this oversized chicken. Perhaps hearing the message it creates in their mind…..as it has done for me.
A timely question as I finalise my forthcoming new book – how can I make sure my voice is heard?
And how about you – what are you saying even though your voice may be silent?
My best wishes,
Peter
