Subversive sculptures in Leicester Square in London’s West End; subversive because of the locations, these bronzes are anywhere but on plinths
Subversive statuary in Leicester Square. The sculptures are conventional enough, movie stars in iconic poses, but the locations are subtle and subversive. Bugs Bunny in a flower bed, Darth Vader on the roof of the Odeon and Mary Poppins watching the street dancers outside the Empire. Then you suddenly spot Paddington Bear and Mr Bean sitting on benches amongst the lunchtime picnickers and Gene Kelly swinging from a lamp-post. Finally, Laurel and Hardy singing and dancing above the discount tickets booth. Oh that there are any shows to buy tickets for...
And what’s showing at the Odeon this week? There's a new film for the pandemic, now also on general release: “Thank you NHS” plus an oldie “We’ll be back soon”.
Not forgetting Charlie Chaplin with his trademark cane and the William Shakespeare statue in the centre of the square by Giovanni Fontana after an original by Peter Scheemakers.