The Ramblers - Derbyshire Dales Group

Thoughts on being a Plinth Penguin.

When I first read about Antony Gormley’s idea for the Fourth Plinth, to be known as One and Other, I knew I wanted to take part. Some years earlier he’d had another project where members of the public had been cast in plaster of Paris and their body shapes were made into an installation in Gateshead. I’d applied for that one but had been unsuccessful. I love his work and have travelled around the country to view many of his installations which include the Angel of the North and the 100 life- size figures on Crosby Beach. To be a part of this, standing on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square no less, was too exciting to ignore. It didn’t occur to me at that stage that it would be scary, or even what I would do with my hour. I had to apply.

The selection process was to be a random computer lottery at the beginning of each month of the project to select 2400 Plinthers, as we became known, over 100 days. July 4th, what an appropriate day, dawned and I received an email to say I’d been successful. I had three days to accept and create a profile. “Oh heck!” or words to that effect. Wow! I’ve done it! I was so excited; emails and texts were flying all over the world to spread the news. But, what to do to fill the hour? My slot was to be August 29th at 10:00am…Bank Holiday Saturday… so I had plenty of time to plan.

As the days passed I sounded out my friends and the consensus was it had to be interactive with the folks below in the Square. Having taught in primary schools all my life, songs with actions soon came to mind. I was still in touch with my last school and so engaged the help of our Reception teacher to coach me with some of her repertoire. A particular favourite was the Penguin Song and so the idea of wearing a penguin suit, top hat and tails, was born.

Plinth Day soon arrived. I’d hardly slept a wink the night before. The nerves were jangling as we took the underground to Trafalgar Square. It was a beautiful morning; I couldn’t have asked for better; a clear blue sky, breezy but quite warm. We stopped to chat to the current incumbent of the Plinth who was half way through his hour; then down to the project cabins to be checked in. I had to be there 90 minutes before my slot so that I could be briefed and sign the usual Health and Safety disclaimers, be photographed and then interviewed for the Wellcome Trust which was putting together an oral history.

All too soon it was time to step into the cherry-picker to be trundled across Trafalgar Square and lifted aloft and deposited on the Plinth. This is it! Nerves were kicking in thick and fast; but then familiar faces began to appear seemingly from nowhere, leaning against the fountain wall, walking down the steps, pointing a camera through the  balustrade; my team of supporters were gathering. As I was delivered onto the Plinth the nerves calmed, all those weeks of waiting and planning and I’m here…it’s wonderful!

I took my time to acclimatise and wave to my well-wishers. Time to begin. I soon got into my stride and lapped up the attention. “If you’re happy and you know it”, “My hat it has three corners” with the folks down below making paper hats to join in; a stroke of genius idea of Rob’s and so funny to watch from my lofty perch. Strangers stopped to watch, join in, or clap. Three elderly ladies emerged from the National Gallery having seen the goings-on on a screen inside the building and decided to come and enjoy it, and made requests. Passengers on the top of the tourist bus in the adjacent road were flapping their arms about to the Twelve Days of Christmas.

My voice was getting rather hoarse, but water and the adrenalin of the occasion got me through. All too soon it was time to thank my wonderful supporters, take a bow and step into the waiting cherry-picker. The whole experience had been somewhat surreal but HUGE fun; and, yes, I’d do it again!

Jenny Spreyer

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