Fourth plinth sculpture unveiled

Thomas Schutte's Model for a Hotel 2007 replaces Marc Quinn's work

The latest work of art to take up residence on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth has been unveiled.

Thomas Schutte's Model for a Hotel 2007 is the latest creation selected to occupy the north-west corner spot.

The eight ton, 16ft (5m) sculpture is made from layers of coloured glass said to "collect and reflect the light... like a bright jewel".

It replaced Marc Quinn's Alison Lapper Pregnant on Wednesday, and will be in place for 18 months.

The so-called fourth plinth was intended for a King William IV statue, but a lack of funds meant it remained empty.

Developing a sculpture for such a well-known iconic place in London has been a thought-provoking creative challenge Thomas Schutte

Experts gave up trying to find a permanent fixture for it in the early 1990s, because no-one could agree on what was appropriate.

In 2003, London Mayor Ken Livingstone backed proposals for the plinth to be used as an ever-changing display for artworks.

Mr Schutte said at the unveiling: "Developing a sculpture for such a well-known iconic place in London has been a thought-provoking creative challenge."

Mr Livingstone, who unveiled the artwork, said: "Thomas Schutte's sculpture is very different from the previous work on the fourth plinth - the use of colour will provide a striking contrast to its surroundings and I am certain that Model for a Hotel 2007 will generate a huge amount of discussion."