The “People’s Plinth” on Trafalgar Square will be occupied tomorrow (Sunday 2nd August) by “happy humanist” Andrew West, displaying a genuine, original Atheist Bus slogan.
He will be teaching all and sundry the dance routine to the Michael Jackson hit, Thriller.
Update on 3 August: You can watch Andrew West’s hour on the plinth at www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/krypto
Currently studying for a degree in photography, West also happens to be volunteering as the official BHA photographer this year and producing a photographic project called Happy Humanists. He said today, “There are two sides to Humanism. On the one hand it’s about being concerned about the world and society and being a good citizen. That’s the serious part. But it’s also about celebrating life and celebrating humanity, which is why Gormley’s One and Other project and the Atheist Bus message – to ‘enjoy your life’ – go so well together.
“When I won a place on the Fourth Plinth, I knew I wanted to help promote Humanism. The starting point was easy: the bus campaign was the coolest thing to happen to atheism since Richard Feynman, and a huge ‘There’s probably no God’ sign in Trafalgar Square would be a sight to see. But the rest of the slogan is at least as important – you’ve got to enjoy your life, and the Plinth seemed a unique opportunity to walk the walk. The sign is fantastic, but what could go with it?
“I floundered for a while, until some very sweet friends made me see the obvious. I learnt the dance routine to Michael Jackson’s Thriller recently for a surprise party, so why not teach it on the Plinth?”
Andrew West will be on the plinth from 4pm for one hour this Sunday evening. Come and join us!
Notes
Andrew West is on Twitter @krypto and Flickr. For press contact email andrew@happyhumanists.co.uk or call 07919 001338.
For comment from the BHA contact Bob Churchill on bob@humanists.uk or call 07743971937.
You can watch Andrew on the plinth live at 4pm tomorrow at www.oneandother.co.uk
The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief. It is the largest organisation in the UK working for a secular state.