Fri Sep 20 09:15:53 UTC 2024: ## “Woke Virtue Signalling” or Powerful Tribute? New Trafalgar Square Sculpture Sparks Controversy
London’s iconic Fourth Plinth is once again the subject of heated debate, with the latest installation, “Mil Veces un Instante” (A Thousand Times in an Instant) by Teresa Margolles, facing fierce backlash from conservative critics.
The sculpture, unveiled on Wednesday, features 726 plaster casts of the faces of transgender, non-binary, and gender-non-conforming individuals who have been victims of violence. Margolles, the artist, dedicated the work to her trans friend Karla, who was murdered in Mexico in 2015.
The artwork, intended to promote trans rights, has been met with widespread criticism, particularly on social media. Many have labeled it “garbage” and “woke virtue-signalling,” with some even going so far as to demand the plinth be reserved for a permanent statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Conservative news outlets have also voiced their disapproval, with one article in The Telegraph declaring the sculpture “proof” that Britain has become “self-loathing.”
Despite the negativity, many within the trans and non-binary community have welcomed the piece. Stephanie Lynnette, whose face is featured in the sculpture, described the casting experience as “liberating.” Tabby Lamb, another participant, said it felt “radical” to be part of a work that celebrates their community’s diversity.
The Fourth Plinth, funded by the Mayor of London and supported by Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies, has long been a platform for provocative and often controversial art. This latest installation is sure to continue the tradition, raising important questions about representation, remembrance, and the role of art in public spaces.
First Piper 