London Nose from Great Windmill Street

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The London Noses or Seven Noses of Soho are a series of artistic installations found on various buildings in London. Crafted from plaster of Paris, these reproductions of artist Rick Buckley's nose protrude unexpectedly from walls, creating an incongruous and often humorous effect. Initially, about 35 of these noses were attached to prominent locations such as the National Gallery and Tate Britain, but only around 10 remain today. Artist Rick Buckley created the noses in 1997, reportedly inspired by the Situationists' emphasis on challenging societal norms through art. He was motivated by the introduction of CCTV cameras throughout London, which he saw as an invasion of public space. In response, Buckley installed his noses under the cameras, sparking a wave of urban myths and speculation about their origins. One such myth surrounds the nose inside Admiralty Arch, which some believe was created to mock Napoleon. According to legend, the nose would be tweaked by cavalry troopers from nearby Horse Guards Parade as they passed through the arch.