British sculptor Antony Gormley's wish to make "truly democratic public art" in London's Trafalgar Square was fulfilled in a spectacular manner on
July 6. Gormley had mobilized a cast of amateur artists that included homemakers and plumbers for the show, One and the Other. But he hadn't
reckoned for Stuart Holmes. The London resident who has spent 26 years campaigning against actors smoking in films, slipped past four
security guards by running along a balustrade, swung his legs over the netting and clambered onto the plinth five minutes before the first official
participant was due to start. He stood there holding up an anti-smoking banner.
Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, chuckled as he prepared to give a speech. "That is exactly what public art is about," he said, admiringly.
Once the security guards entered, the protester capitulated without a struggle, and was applauded as he was brought down on the hydraulic lift.
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