Editing Hahn/Cock
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It was unveiled on 25 July 2013 by [[Mayor of London]] [[Boris Johnson]]. He pointed out the irony that the cockerel, an unofficial national emblem of [[France]], was standing in a square commemorating [[Battle of Trafalgar|a famous British victory over the French]].<ref name="Guardian" /> Fritsch has said that she was unaware of the connection until it was explained to her. According to Fritsch, she chose the cockerel to represent strength and regeneration, "but it's a nice humorous side-effect to have something French in a place that celebrates victory over [[Napoleon]]. He has come back as a cockerel!"<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnett |first=Laura |title=Katharina Fritsch on her Fourth Plinth cockerel sculpture: 'I didn't want to make fun – but I was invited' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/24/katharina-fritsch-fourth-plinth-cockerel-sculpture |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 July 2013 |accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> Johnson said in his speech that "I hope French people will not take it as excessive British chauvinism – but for me it stands for [[2013 Tour de France#General classification|the recent British triumph in the Tour de France]], which we have [[2012 Tour de France#General classification|won twice in a row]] ... it is a symbol of French sporting pride, brought like a chicken to London. We have mounted this French cock at the heart of our imperial square."<ref name="Guardian" /> |
It was unveiled on 25 July 2013 by [[Mayor of London]] [[Boris Johnson]]. He pointed out the irony that the cockerel, an unofficial national emblem of [[France]], was standing in a square commemorating [[Battle of Trafalgar|a famous British victory over the French]].<ref name="Guardian" /> Fritsch has said that she was unaware of the connection until it was explained to her. According to Fritsch, she chose the cockerel to represent strength and regeneration, "but it's a nice humorous side-effect to have something French in a place that celebrates victory over [[Napoleon]]. He has come back as a cockerel!"<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnett |first=Laura |title=Katharina Fritsch on her Fourth Plinth cockerel sculpture: 'I didn't want to make fun – but I was invited' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/24/katharina-fritsch-fourth-plinth-cockerel-sculpture |newspaper=The Guardian |date=24 July 2013 |accessdate=2 August 2020}}</ref> Johnson said in his speech that "I hope French people will not take it as excessive British chauvinism – but for me it stands for [[2013 Tour de France#General classification|the recent British triumph in the Tour de France]], which we have [[2012 Tour de France#General classification|won twice in a row]] ... it is a symbol of French sporting pride, brought like a chicken to London. We have mounted this French cock at the heart of our imperial square."<ref name="Guardian" /> |
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Fritsch and Johnson have both noted the sexual [[double entendre]] in the work's name – in English – and the artist admits that it is consciously intended as a play on words. She highlighted the fact that Trafalgar Square itself has a somewhat phallic character: "It's about male posing, about showing power, about showing ... erections! I mean, look at [[Nelson's Column|that column]]!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130725-cock-cockerel-london-trafalgar-square-blue-art-katharina-fritsch-uk-france|title=Giant French rooster ruffles London feathers|publisher=France 24|date=26 July 2013|accessdate=28 July 2013}}</ref> Asked whether he felt that the cock had crushed his manhood, Johnson said: "No, not at all. I am happy to channel the power and enthusiasm of that bird; I feel inspired by its regal manner and mood of confidence."<ref name="Guardian" /> He told the crowd that he would "not lapse into [[double entendre]]s and ask how long this wonderful creature will 'stay up' in the square," before unveiling what he called a "big, blue ... bird."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10202386/Boris-unveils-big-blue-bird-in-Trafalgar-Square.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727151344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10202386/Boris-unveils-big-blue-bird-in-Trafalgar-Square.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2013|title=Boris unveils 'big, blue bird' in Trafalgar Square|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=25 July 2013|accessdate=28 July 2013}}</ref> |
Fritsch and Johnson have both noted the sexual [[double entendre]] in the work's name – ''hahn'' in [[German language|German]] has the same double meaning as "cock" in English – and the artist admits that it is consciously intended as a play on words. She highlighted the fact that Trafalgar Square itself has a somewhat phallic character: "It's about male posing, about showing power, about showing ... erections! I mean, look at [[Nelson's Column|that column]]!"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20130725-cock-cockerel-london-trafalgar-square-blue-art-katharina-fritsch-uk-france|title=Giant French rooster ruffles London feathers|publisher=France 24|date=26 July 2013|accessdate=28 July 2013}}</ref> Asked whether he felt that the cock had crushed his manhood, Johnson said: "No, not at all. I am happy to channel the power and enthusiasm of that bird; I feel inspired by its regal manner and mood of confidence."<ref name="Guardian" /> He told the crowd that he would "not lapse into [[double entendre]]s and ask how long this wonderful creature will 'stay up' in the square," before unveiling what he called a "big, blue ... bird."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10202386/Boris-unveils-big-blue-bird-in-Trafalgar-Square.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727151344/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10202386/Boris-unveils-big-blue-bird-in-Trafalgar-Square.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 July 2013|title=Boris unveils 'big, blue bird' in Trafalgar Square|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=25 July 2013|accessdate=28 July 2013}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |