This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8272265.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Some day my plinth will come' 'Some day my plinth will come'
(3 days later)
Thousands of volunteers get to stand on the plinth for an hour each, "being art"Thousands of volunteers get to stand on the plinth for an hour each, "being art"
Journalists rarely - if ever - get the chance to be art.Journalists rarely - if ever - get the chance to be art.
But Glasgow-based BBC reporter Huw Williams has been part of an arts project in central London.But Glasgow-based BBC reporter Huw Williams has been part of an arts project in central London.
It gives 2,400 people the chance to stand for an hour on an enormous stone block in the heart of central London.It gives 2,400 people the chance to stand for an hour on an enormous stone block in the heart of central London.
"Off you go then. Go and be part of history.""Off you go then. Go and be part of history."
Cheery words in a tatty temporary building in Trafalgar Square. It's the headquarters for Anthony Gormley's "One and Another". Cheery words in a tatty temporary building in Trafalgar Square. It's the headquarters for Anthony Gormley's "One and Other".
Over 100 days, thousands of volunteers - selected by computer - get to stand by themselves on an empty plinth. And do whatever they want, for an hour. So long as it's decent and legal.Over 100 days, thousands of volunteers - selected by computer - get to stand by themselves on an empty plinth. And do whatever they want, for an hour. So long as it's decent and legal.
A tractor takes Huw and staff from the project through the squareA tractor takes Huw and staff from the project through the square
So, off I go. One of 207 people from Scotland chosen to take part.So, off I go. One of 207 people from Scotland chosen to take part.
I'm carried through the square by a tractor, which lifts me high onto the plinth. And leaves me there.I'm carried through the square by a tractor, which lifts me high onto the plinth. And leaves me there.
I look around.I look around.
There's the statue of Horatio Nelson - high up on his column.There's the statue of Horatio Nelson - high up on his column.
There's Admiralty Arch, and the Mall - leading to Buckingham Palace.There's Admiralty Arch, and the Mall - leading to Buckingham Palace.
And there's the National Gallery - home to an incredible collection of historic European art.And there's the National Gallery - home to an incredible collection of historic European art.
But for the next 60 minutes, I'm being art too. Apparently.But for the next 60 minutes, I'm being art too. Apparently.
Baring allBaring all
The idea is that I, and all the other volunteers, "represent ourselves and the whole human population of the world".The idea is that I, and all the other volunteers, "represent ourselves and the whole human population of the world".
People have chosen to do that in all sorts of different ways.People have chosen to do that in all sorts of different ways.
A surprising number have taken all their clothes off and stood here naked.A surprising number have taken all their clothes off and stood here naked.
But others have dressed up, or made themselves up.But others have dressed up, or made themselves up.
Lord Nelson looks down from his columnLord Nelson looks down from his column
One man covered himself in orange and black paint and looked more like a tiger than seemed humanly possible.One man covered himself in orange and black paint and looked more like a tiger than seemed humanly possible.
Another wrapped himself in white toilet paper, to look like an Egyptian mummy.Another wrapped himself in white toilet paper, to look like an Egyptian mummy.
One young man took packets of sweets onto the plinth, and threw them out to the crowd.One young man took packets of sweets onto the plinth, and threw them out to the crowd.
The plinth has been empty since it was built in 1841.The plinth has been empty since it was built in 1841.
The three in the other corners of the square are home to traditional statues. Two generals and one monarch.The three in the other corners of the square are home to traditional statues. Two generals and one monarch.
There was supposed to be another king up on this plinth too, but the money ran out.There was supposed to be another king up on this plinth too, but the money ran out.
So for the last few years it's provided a temporary setting for all sorts of works.So for the last few years it's provided a temporary setting for all sorts of works.
Somehow, being on a plinth makes it ok to be friendly to strangers. The sort of people who'd probably run off if I started grinning and gesticulating at them down on ground levelSomehow, being on a plinth makes it ok to be friendly to strangers. The sort of people who'd probably run off if I started grinning and gesticulating at them down on ground level
A few minutes into my stint I start to settle into the role.A few minutes into my stint I start to settle into the role.
Some people shout up: "What are you doing?" I shout back: "I'm being art."Some people shout up: "What are you doing?" I shout back: "I'm being art."
People point, wave, and take photographs.People point, wave, and take photographs.
I spot friends of mine, one of my brothers, and my parents. Someone in the crowd goes to chat to them.I spot friends of mine, one of my brothers, and my parents. Someone in the crowd goes to chat to them.
There seem to be a lot of police officers around, he says. Am I protesting about something?There seem to be a lot of police officers around, he says. Am I protesting about something?
Talking of police officers, it's amazing how many of them smile and wave at me. One winks.Talking of police officers, it's amazing how many of them smile and wave at me. One winks.
Somehow, being on a plinth makes it ok to be friendly to strangers, the sort of people who'd probably run off if I started grinning and gesticulating at them down on ground level.Somehow, being on a plinth makes it ok to be friendly to strangers, the sort of people who'd probably run off if I started grinning and gesticulating at them down on ground level.
Flotsam and Jetsam. Once famous. Now forgottenFlotsam and Jetsam. Once famous. Now forgotten
I chose to spend my 60 minutes standing, in a dinner jacket and dress trousers, wearing a white bow tie, and playing a selection of music from the 1920s and 1930s on a portable cd player.I chose to spend my 60 minutes standing, in a dinner jacket and dress trousers, wearing a white bow tie, and playing a selection of music from the 1920s and 1930s on a portable cd player.
It was a tribute to the earliest days of broadcasting.It was a tribute to the earliest days of broadcasting.
I had tunes by Henry Hall and the BBC dance orchestra, and songs about the wireless.I had tunes by Henry Hall and the BBC dance orchestra, and songs about the wireless.
Comedy acts like Flotsam and Jetsam, singing about "little Betty Bouncer" who's fallen in love with an announcer.Comedy acts like Flotsam and Jetsam, singing about "little Betty Bouncer" who's fallen in love with an announcer.
And Norman Strong mocking the producers who wouldn't let him broadcast any of his songs - all deemed far too risqué for the radio.And Norman Strong mocking the producers who wouldn't let him broadcast any of his songs - all deemed far too risqué for the radio.
A list of names who were once among the most famous in the land.A list of names who were once among the most famous in the land.
But most of them now long forgotten.But most of them now long forgotten.
But then, General Sir Charles James Napier and Major General Sir Henry Havelock are commemorated in bronze on plinths in the Square.But then, General Sir Charles James Napier and Major General Sir Henry Havelock are commemorated in bronze on plinths in the Square.
I doubt if people walking past know much about them either.I doubt if people walking past know much about them either.
'Petros was here''Petros was here'
Taking part in the project, then, made me reflect on who we celebrate. And how long fame lasts.Taking part in the project, then, made me reflect on who we celebrate. And how long fame lasts.
Someone who was on the plinth before me has tried to make sure his memory lingers on. He's written: "Petros was here" in permanent marker pen on the platform.Someone who was on the plinth before me has tried to make sure his memory lingers on. He's written: "Petros was here" in permanent marker pen on the platform.
Every time I go through Trafalgar Square in future I intend to boast about having been part of this project.Every time I go through Trafalgar Square in future I intend to boast about having been part of this project.
It'll go nicely with my tale about the time that I broadcast live from the top of Nelson's Column, while stonemasons were working on it.It'll go nicely with my tale about the time that I broadcast live from the top of Nelson's Column, while stonemasons were working on it.
But this wasn't - I have to confess - the first time I've been art.But this wasn't - I have to confess - the first time I've been art.
Once for a report, I lay down on the floor of one of London's most famous galleries.Once for a report, I lay down on the floor of one of London's most famous galleries.
A Spanish tourist asked where she could buy a postcard of me.A Spanish tourist asked where she could buy a postcard of me.
But that's another story.But that's another story.