Thomas Schütte, Model for a Hotel 2007 Photograph James O Jenkins

German sculptor Thomas Schütte 's Model for a Hotel 2007 has launched on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth. The fourth plinth was constructed in 1841 to house a statue of King William IV, which was never created due to a lack of funds. The Fourth Plinth Programme was launched to introduce contemporary art to Trafalgar Square on the vacant plinth in a rolling programme of new commissions. The scheme was initiated in 1998 by the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. In 1999 responsibility for Trafalgar Square. Schütte’s new installation replaces Marc Quinn's sculpture, Alison Lapper Pregnant, which was unveiled in 2005.

Schütte’s glass sculpture is an architectural model of a twenty-one storey building, constructed in bright red, yellow and blue glass. which will collect and reflect the light. Multi-layered and luminous, Schütte's utopian vision will have a powerful impact on clean white architecture of Trafalgar Square and is in stark contrast the previous works selected for the commissions.

The artist is well known for his interest in the practical use-value in art that began with earlier models as Westkunst, 1981, and was seen in subsequent works such as, for example, Studio I and Studio II (1982), House 3: House for two friends (1983).

Recognizable by his use of diverse media Thomas Schütte's work has included installation, construction, sculpture, architectural models, painting, drawings, graphic works and watercolors. Throughout his practice he has questioned the role of the sculptor and since the 80’s he has investigated sculpture as architectural model as well as propositions for art’s practical use. The birds of Trafalgar Square which are constantly complained about by the authorities and loved by tourists will have a sheltered winter.