Masked-up statue in Paternoster Square, City of London, 08/09/09
…Subverting public art.
Where? - Paternoster Square, City of London. Next door to St Paul’s Cathedral.
When? - 8th September 2009
What’s the story? - Paternoster Square was the finishing point for an anti-arms trade demo, which had called on many of the City banks and investment companies who provide funds for weapons companies. The protest was one of a number of actions that took place during the biannual Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) arms fair, held in Docklands.
The square itself is a busy place, full of cafes, odd bits of public art, and expensive little shops, patronised by a steady stream of gawking tourists and besuited City types, who are – it must be said – not looking too cheerful these days. It’s all a bit too serious.
Someone obviously has a much-needed cheeky sense of humour though – appearing out of nowhere, and greatly amusing the protesters. I didn’t see who did it; all I know is that I looked round to see the modern art statue of a shepherd suddenly wearing a demonstrators mask. Just the shepherd. His sheep, which follow him faithfully across his plinth, remained unmasked.
There’s probably a political irony there somewhere.
This is the first in an occasional series of strange, beautiful, funny, curious, striking and/or just plain interesting images taken in and around London by trickygirl’s faithful old cameraphone. This is the real London; this is London as seen by a Londoner through the viewfinder of the world’s most basic digital camera and a lifetime’s knowledge of this totally unique city. This is London without a safety net, without the crowds, the rudeness, the rain, or any need to pay the congestion charge. This is my London. And London Loves…
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