Trafalgar Square's Big Blue Cockerel

The new Fourth Plinth commission, Hahn / Cock by Katharina Fritsch (b. Essen, Germany, 1956) was unveiled today. 4.72m high, the matte blue fibreglass sculpture proudly overlooks London’s Trafalgar Square. But what exactly is it? Is it a woman’s rendition of a man? Standing in the shadow of Nelson’s column, is it a symbol of France and hence a humorous reminder of British victories of days gone by? Whatever it may stand for, the big blue cockerel does not go unnoticed.

photos: Katharina Fritsch, Hahn / Cock, 2013