Fourth plinth.

As a piece of artwork Marc Quinn's sculpture of Alison Lapper certainly provokes interest and on many levels. (Some puns are intended, that however was not one. It's more the case that if everything is edited for pc reasons then the subject cannot be properly discussed.(1)

If you 'Google' Alison Lapper there are about 40,000 references (possibly 40,001 now). And you've got to hand it to her she's got herself first on the list (2).

Alison Lapper has been very much in the public eye recently, due mainly to her condition(3). To most of us mere mortals, nothing is known of her art other than her being art. Although, couldn't it be said that her suffering is her art? To be sure she is now feted and her opinions may resonate for a while, there may even be an interest in her work. But it is largely a self portrait. In that case, Quinn's sculpture is like a chapter in a biography. And perhaps appropriate enough for the turnaround that is the 4th plinth project. Will we get to see chapter two?

Quinn's Lapper seems to stand in stark contrast to Nelson's column, well actually it squats. Now, I'm not sure what art is supposed to do other than be provocative and Lapper is certainly that. Is she a hero? I'm sure that even in the fairest of fights Nelson could kick her head in* but then I've never seen his artwork.

Lapper's though, I have (a bit). I was going to make some joke about 'Venus de milo' but hey, she's there already. And that is likely the crux of the matter. One couldn't argue that in selective shots she sure looks purrdy - if'n you go for a gal's looks that is. And for some blokes she has got the bits that seem to count - someone has certainly proven a point.# And there are microwaves. Ironing could be the scene of a domestic though . . .

Perhaps Lapper issues a challenge of what we look for in another person. Are we superficial in our tastes to want someone else's idea of perfection? Lapper says 'I can do it as well as you' and she can - up to a point. James Heartfield's article on Lapper points out that her survival and progress comes with a great deal of assistance - Ms. Lapper would not have survived in the wilds and as a mutation is not one that would see the human race thrive in her form(4).

One could criticise yet Alison Lapper in spite of her condition does many things and can inspire others that are wont to seek therapy in one form or other. I'm heartened by the likes of Beth Hamilton (5) and others that over ride their condition. Many a restless night has me watching niche Tv and I'm stunned by the capabilities of disabled athletes - one-legged slalom skiers going full pelt and achieving commendable times, for instance. Mayhaps an unfair aerodynamic advantage? Don't think there'll be a queue for the operation though.

I also recall the tale of a young german tank commander in WW2; shot some 5 times, left for dead, patched up and eager to return to the front after 6 weeks. Stirring stuff even if you don't agree with his cause (6).

Quinn's Lapper is notable in that it is a sign of the times - it comes to the fore in a culture uncomfortable with its past glories and seeking comfort in frailty. It will be something to celebrate when medical science can achieve limb grafting and the like so that the disabled can function as near normal as possible 7).

If 'the statue' had been created by Alison Lapper herself it would've been more impressive but l don't think it belongs on the fourth plinth.


(1)http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup/lapper.shtml
(2)http://www.alisonlapper.com/
(3)http://images.google.com/images?q=alison+lapper&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
*NB. Although she does have some fighting prowess. Read on - http://books.guardian.co.uk/extracts/story/0,6761,1561045,00.html
(4)http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CAD61.htm
(5)http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&rls=GGLR%2CGGLR%3A2005-51%2CGGLR%3Aen&q=+bethany+hamilton+&btnG=Search
(6)World at War series (?)
(7)Hooray!
(8)See also - http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/0000000CAEEF.htm

§Out-take

'. . It reminds me of a schoolboy fantasy involving a rope, RE teacher and a table (I'd've let her have one arm free) . . . etc.'

Originally removed as figured was kind of gratuitous but reposted in light of Welsh quacks. See F*cking Welsh! (this blog, Feb 2006). Like it says - schoolboy fantasy and not deed.


Lapper. Round 2

The devil within had far worse lined up for Ms. Lapper - and a sneaky chance to indulge some other penchants. I couldn't help thinking that 'Alison Lapper 8 1/2 months pregnant' resembled a lump of plasticine capable of being moulded into anything. Seeing as how I've alluded to raping her, giving her a kicking and sewing some arms on her then I may as well crucify and resurrect her as well

Why? Is it fun to pick on the disabled? Up to a point maybe. Maybe in as much as no-one would rightly choose to be disabled and we laugh at such concerns so as to cope with them or even in recognition that the disabled are still people and we interact as normal as possible, albeit perhaps patronisingly.

Call it a version of Tourette's syndrome but I imagined nailing some arms on Alison Lapper in my own blood-dripping bastard artwork creation but thought better of continuing l'enfant terriblisme. However, with all the hoohar surrounding religious imagery, particularly amongst some members of our muslim brethren and also to make a not so subtle play on resurrection and notions of Divinity versus human ingenuity and medical science (and what with easter coming up) then I may as well.

Why the cheap shot at religion? After all a great many good people have connections with matters of faith and to rubbish their icons maybe hilarious or just nasty, maybe even tonic for the troops, but without a plainer distinction between The Divine and Humanity it remains a small part of the argument.
Others have said, the story of religion is essentially a human one.
As is Alison Lapper's.

Whether it is the military icon, religious representation, science-fiction architectural or other, 'art' should provoke or stimulate thought. Quinn, Lapper and the 4th plinth project challenge the militaristic associations with Trafalgar Square - a pregnant, disabled woman, giver of life Vs. Nelson, disabled warrior, etc (et al).
If Alison Lapper was the stopper of war or harbinger of peace forevermore then she may be considered heroic and worthy of claiming a place at Trafalgar (am begining to like the idea of Trafalgar Sq as a cultural battleground).

The reason why Alison Lapper has become elevated is manyfold but she can be because society has developed to the point where disability can be accommodated, cared for and patched up. However, Alison as Goddess of beauty and disability is a poor reflection of what society accepts regards notions of a common humanity.

Perhaps she asks to be loved (and 'the disabled' by association), that we see through her disability and beauty and get to know the person within; capable of being loved and loving but also a thinking, acting and creative being. That's fine - that's the human part but elevating disability is to accept being part human.

Anyone can get cut by steel, paper or even grass but it's nice to know that we can generally patch ourselves up or have access to people and things that can. Likewise, if injured at work, in a crash, playing sport, etc we should feel safe in the knowledge that medical practice and science has developed to the point of being able to fix most injury. Of course, if better resourced and if that was the focus rather than overmanagement and too many a lightweight scheme.

There's a bitter irony revealed in Generation Kill where a Doctor/Soldier is torn between continuing his patriotic duties and tending to an injured Iraqi. He cites that if the man's injuries are attended to he can be saved, albeit with some lasting damage. Yet still an increase in survivability from earlier times.
The moral being that even in situations designed for death, destruction and serious injury medical technique, prowess and capabilty follow close behind.


' . . l'm only dancing'

I chanced upon a dance program called DV8 in which a guy with no legs, Dave l believe he's called, peers through the window of a ballet studio (this after mischief in a wheelchair at a bus stop which sets the tone). Mischievious and mis-shapen you wonder what he's up to as he watches the graceful ballerinas. Himself perhaps an object of ridicule or even repellance - an opposite of the dancers. He enters the studio and shuffles through the rising and falling legs of the ladies at the bar, approaches a seated ballerina whom he links up with to dance/roll about with - a work of some elegance.

The next scene is Dave astride his mate's back; his mate walking on all fours with arms and legs straight yet done in such a way that it is hard to determine which torso the legs belong to or if they are all as one.
Perhaps this raises further questions as to acceptance of what is, Dave and co 'wishing' he had legs or a play on homo-eroticism and love of one's fellow man as brother and reflection of self - room on my horse for two, he ain't heavy . . or putting yourself in his shoes and vice versa.

I wouldn't like to patronise Alison Lapper by suggesting she would be a better person if only she had arms, nor Dave some legs, merely to state that the alleviation of all illness as much as possible is more desirable than accomodating to it.





Round Three: Militant dwarf and pretty lady spend all day pestering shoppers. 19th. March'06.

Don't know what it was the other night but basically a programme about disability and how society accomodates it.

A section of the show was about people parking in disabled spots at supermarkets and featured a small man in matrix garb and a lady with a walking stick. The lady was quite pretty, which may not be significant (the man l couldn't really say). Basically, they proceeded to hassle people (predominantly asian - again, maybe not significant) who for whatever reason were taking the piss out of the disabled by ignoring their existence and nicking their carparking spots.

Oh, you bad people (coming over here and) nicking our carparking spots . . . There is a seperate, if not related issue of supermarket, and other, carparking design and one that effects everybody. Carparking for 'normal' people leaves a lot to be desired. Often cramped and just as awkward for the old and perhaps not so firm, those with children, large people, lots of shopping and even those on foot. My bad self has parked in the bay. Excuse? none, other than believing that the disabled should be treat no better or worse than any body else. Whether it's one of those things that have changed over time or not but it's recalled that many a time at busy hypermarkets, etc., these spaces have been empty and wasted. All the while us able bodied types have to weave our way with our laden and lopsided trolley on ramped causeway through everyone else's pride and joy.


Haven't people got better things to do? This is an example of petty and selfish single issue 'activism' of the worst kind. It pulls on the heartstrings; who does want to see the differently abled abused and ignored? The better part of the show was 'Dave' (aka MD - sorry, don't know the names) interviewing 'Steve' - 25 years old, cerebral palsy, wheelchair bound, etc., and profoundly differently abled. Steve seemed to be something of a whizz on computers and wanted to work, contribute and attain a measure of independence but all too often got the knock back. The person without 'won' and Steve lost.

It's a tough world out there . . . and not just for the differently abled. Society does have a poor record in care for the infirm in many situations but also a substantial care sector running right the way through from the family and voluntary sector to hospital, lowest to highest wages and so on.

By percentage disability seems to have quite some say, albeit and like most things not one of open and honest discussion.



Round 4

Now playing - (My Baby Does) Good Sculptures - Rezillos . . .