When Anthony Caro took his sculptures off their pedestals and presented them on the gallery floor, it caused almost as big a shock in the Art world as constructing them from welded steel.

Since the Egyptian sphinxes, European and Near Eastern sculpture has been presented on bases – sometimes architectural plinths and at other times highly decorative pedestals. Like the picture frame for paintings, the pedestal marks the boundary between life and Art. And in many 18th Century Monuments, it also signifies the journey between life and death: illustrated with works from Donatello and Michelangelo to Gilbert & George.

This talk will explore the history of the sculptural base. And of course, Trafalgar Square’s famous Fourth Plinth will also feature in the story.

Chris Owen
No Biographical Notes have been provided.

Picture: Bicycle Wheel, a readymade work by Marcel Duchamp.