Mick Hartley

Mexican sculptor Rivelino's figures in Victoria Tower Gardens, by the Houses of Parliament:

I thought I recognised them as I cycled past. A more dramatic setting here than when I last saw them, in Brussels (oh yes, I get around). They've been to Lisbon, Madrid, Berlin as well, and in a week or so will be off to Paris. Phew. Busy lads.

They symbolise the need for freedom of expression, apparently. See those plates in front of their mouths? Get it?

Well, you're not going to get your sculptures shown in the centres of all these European capital cities without some inspiring message, are you? Personally I just liked them standing there in the morning sun in their polished monumental thinginess….

Here's the official website:

Conceptually, this project of public art is an invitation to reflect on silence, in other words, it is about freedom of expression – in all its manifestations – as a universal and paradoxical theme of communication.

Well, if you say so…