Walking across Trafalgar Square in March sunshine at lunchtime today, I admired, as I always do, the mermen and the dolphins in the fountains. I’m not too fussed by the latest occupant of the empty plinth. Maybe it’ll grow on me. As St Martin’s hoved into sharper focus I could see large puppet like figures in the portico. Something vaguely Mr Punch about them.
They were pretty big. Closer, I took a photo and looked for information.
Nothing. But more figures to left and right.
Curious, and with a few minutes to spare, I decided to go down to crypt and ask what they were about. They were by the lift too.
It turns out they were only installed today. There are lots. I didn’t count, maybe next time. And collectively are called Robert Koenig’s Odyssey. Each figure is 2.5m tall and made from lime trees that grew in his mother’s home village of Dominikowice in South East Poland, and represent his attempt to call up his ancestral ghosts. The trees were silent witnesses to events ‘that shaped the lives of people over the last 100 years’.
They are certainly arresting. Next time I go by, I want to take longer, look more closely and find out more.
Meanwhile, George Washinton, safe on his plinth and patch of soil brought from the US, looks out at Trafalgar Square.
Wooden people, pretty cool. The history behind them is interesting as well. Nice Share, thank you.
He has a website too. http://www.robertkoenig-sculptor.com
I’ll have to check him out. He is very talented. Thanks for the link.
I’ve just heard that he’s got an exhibition of lots of his other woodcarvings in La Galleria in Pall Mall from Monday 26 – 31 March – one week only – don’t miss it.
Interesting art, do you know if they are to be a permanent feature? Much as they are wonderful to see, if they are ancestral ghosts I think they should be at home near to where they grew and died. A very talented man!
I think it is going to be there until July. I’ll check later.
I’ll have to check them out. I was a little surprised to see a statue of George Washington. Is it really American soil–that seems a little odd to me.
Most interesting display………and backstory.
Pam
They are fascinating and the history is too!
Thanks to your very genuine curiosity I have been allowed to a most interesting sightseeing and tuition. Thanks, Isobel!
I saw the Odyssey carvings in Jersey in 2009. There were 35 figures then. There are 40 in St Martin in the Field in London. During their 15 year journey from Poland, The Ukraine and now the UK, Odyssey were described as a masterpiece of its kind. The fourth plinth sculptures have often been overblown. Trafalgar Square does have its masterpiece and it can be found in St Martin in the Field until 20 July.
Thanks for the tip. I shall try to get there.