David Shrigley's 'Really Good' is a new statue that was just unveiled in London's Trafalgar Square, a heavily trafficked plaza in the center of the city. The undeniably cheeky statue depicts a seven-meter tall hand, cast in the same dark bronze of the square's other regal statues, giving the thumbs-up symbol.
The statue's plaque displays the hope that "this simple gesture will become a self-fulfilling prophecy: that things considered 'bad'... will benefit from a change of consensus towards positivity." In other words, the statue is a testament to the power of positive thinking.
Whether or not the plaque's exaltation is in earnest, one can't help but smile at the statue's disproportionately large thumb, especially when compared to the stern British lions that mount the other plinths in Trafalgar Square.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Public Art Installations
- There is a growing trend of public art installations that aim to bring positivity and joy to public spaces.
- Positive Messaging
- There is a trend of incorporating positive messaging and symbols, such as the thumbs-up symbol, in art and design to promote optimism and well-being.
- Embracing Cheekiness
- There is a trend of embracing cheeky and humorous elements in public art to create a sense of delight and amusement.
Where This Applies
- Art and Design
- The art and design industry can explore opportunities to create more public art installations that spread positivity and joy in urban spaces.
- Tourism and Hospitality
- The tourism and hospitality industry can leverage public art installations like the giant thumbs-up statues to attract visitors and create memorable experiences.
- Advertising and Marketing
- The advertising and marketing industry can incorporate positive messaging and symbols, such as the thumbs-up symbol, in their campaigns to evoke a sense of optimism and well-being among consumers.
