Those who've been treated to a Nelson's-eye view from above Trafalgar Square are few and far between.
There was Blue Peter's John Noakes, famously. And in 1843, 14 Victorians enjoyed a rump steak dinner from the Viscount's plinth. There've been few million pigeons, too, of course.
Most of us, though, must make do with craning our necks upwards at the monument. Except for this week, that is — until Thursday 18 September — when Paul Cocksedge's London Design Festival installation What Nelson Sees invites us mere groundlings to glimpse, well, what Nelson sees, by way of a starburst of copper-hued telescopes assembled at the foot of Nelson's Column.
Perhaps 'What Nelson Saw' would be a more fitting title, as said telescopes use AI to show the view from 50 metres up evolving over time: horse-drawn carriages become cars; gas lamps melt into street lights — and fashions shift dramatically. Eventually, we're presented with a speculative London that is yet to be decided — one that Nelson will get to see, and we might not.
The installation, while free, is ticketed and only around until Thursday — plus it's out of bounds for the entirety of Wednesday 17 September, meaning you'll have to make a swift sailor's hornpipe over to central London, should you wish to catch it.
What Nelson Sees, until 18 September (excluding 17 September), book your ticket in advance, free
