The Fourth Plinth on Trafalgar Square is welcoming a new piece of art on Thursday this week.

Yinka Shonibare’s Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle is moving, and a new sculpture is taking its place.

Powerless Structures Fig 101 is the name of this new piece, by Scandanavian artists, Elmgreen & Dragset. It’s a bronze sculpture of a boy on a rocking horse. Here’s some details about the artwork, taken from the Fouth Plinth website:

In this portrayal of a boy astride his rocking horse, a child has been elevated to the status of a historical hero, though there is not yet a history to commemorate – only a future to hope for. Elmgreen & Dragset’s work proposes a paraphrase of a traditional war monument beyond a dualistic worldview predicated on either victory or defeat. Instead of acknowledging the heroism of the powerful, Powerless Structures, Fig. 101 celebrates the heroism of growing up. It is a visual statement celebrating expectation and change rather than glorifying the past.

This video is just a little teaser, as the young boy isn’t revealed until Thursday this week. Keep an eye out, we’ll bring you some photos when the time comes…

Boris Johnson announced the next two commissions for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square this morning.

Artists Elmgreen & Dragset and Katharina Fritsch are the winners for 2012 and 2013.

Elmgreen & Dragset’s Powerless Structures, Fig 101 is a bronze sculpture of a boy on a rocking horse.

This morning, the artists explained their sculpture is not about victory or defeat. “It’s about play, being part of a game. It’s maybe not about winning or losing. It’s easy for us to stand up here today and say it’s not all about winning, but… We wanted to put something among all the admirals and generals in Trafalgar Square that would perhaps be mocking, perhaps change people’s perspectives.”

The second winner announced this morning is Katharina Fritsch’s Hahn / Cock; a giant, surrealist cockerel in bright blue.

Katharina described her sculpture as a “wake up call” and seemed happy to allow different interpretations of her work from the Mayor and others. (Boris suggested it might have something to do with Tottenham Hotspur, before talking about the idea that this very French symbol will, at least, be looked down on by Nelson from the centre of the square.)

Here’s a rather hastily taken, wobbly video of this morning’s annoucement, where you can see / hear more from the Mayor:

So, what do you think? Are these worthy winners? Were there others in the shortlist (there’s a reminder here) that you would’ve preferred to see on the Fourth Plinth? Let us know in the comments below.

Six artists have been shortlisted to produce the next artwork for Trafalgar Square’s fourth plinth, replacing Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle by Yinka Shonibare.

The winner will have the chance to showcase their work during the London 2012 Olympic Games, when the eyes of the world will be on London.

The shortlisted artists are:

• Allora & Calzadilla
• Elmgreen & Dragset
• Katharina Fritsch
• Brian Griffiths
• Hew Locke
• Mariele Neudecker

The winner will be announced early next year.

Shortlisted designs will be on display in the crypt of St Martin- in-the-Fields from 19 August to 31 October 2010.  Admission is free