Hans Haacke and David Shrigley Commissioned for London's Fourth Plinth

For the Fourth Plinth commissions in Trafalgar Square, Hans Haacke and David Shrigley have been chosen for 2015 and 2016, respectively. Haacke’s piece, 'Gift Horse,' showcases a bronze skeleton of a horse equipped with an electronic display that presents real-time ticker data from the London Stock Exchange, aimed at reflecting on themes of power, finance, and history. In contrast, Shrigley’s 'Really Good' depicts a large, cartoon-like fist with an exaggerated thumb giving a thumbs-up, which he describes as an affordable means to enhance the world. The Mayor of London and the Arts Council provide funding for these projects. Previous installations include Marc Quinn's 'Alison Lapper Pregnant' (2005) and Yinka Shonibare's 'Ship in a Bottle' (2010). The commissioning panel features Iwona Blazwick, Jeremy Deller, and Matthew Slotover. A proposal by Mark Leckey, titled 'Larger Squat Afar,' was rejected; it aimed to merge aspects of existing statues in the square. The article, originally published in April 2014, critiques the inclination towards didactic or self-mocking public art in the UK, raising concerns about whether the focus on audience engagement compromises artistic quality.