Gilbert & George describe the 1968 picture of them in Hyde Park as 'a preemptive strike'. They knew they were about to attract attention as the singing sculptures, that name-calling from the press would ensue, and that all they could do about it was get in there first. This is very much the THAMES spirit, and reason enough for its two-deck tribute, but of course it was indeed only the beginning… the Icaruses-gone-right have again and again justified the pictured pomposity in the 56 years that have elapsed, and continue to, without any signs of slowing. Relishing in their victory over the critics, birthday boy Gilbert puts the thing quite simply: "They were left behind; the shit and the cunt walk forward." Signed sets available for purchase in The Front Room .
