Phil Collins' work is entitled Shady Lane Productions

Tomma Abts, Phil Collins, Mark Titchner and Rebecca Warren are competing for the accolade, given to outstanding projects by UK artists aged under 50.

The winner will be named on 4 December at a ceremony broadcast on Channel 4.

The show includes the first "live" exhibit in its history, with Collins setting up an office which houses staff from his production company.

'Strangely melancholic'

"It is the first time we have had live work as part of an exhibit," curator Katherine Stout told Reuters.

Collin's work also features a film of Turkish people discussing how their lives have been ruined by appearing on reality TV.

"Collins is fascinated by what happens next and the impact it has on your life. Reality TV has become so prevalent over the past 10 years," Ms Stout added.

Titchner's sculpture Ergo Ergot will be on display from 3 October

Warren's work includes a neon-lit box of fluff and other rubbish she collected from the floor, which organisers have described as "dirty and dysfunctional" and "strangely melancholic".

She filled five display cases with bits of fluff, dust, hair, plastic, twigs, woollen pom-poms and a discarded cherry stone.

Exhibition curator Lizzie Carey-Thomas said: "They contain various detritus from in and around the artist's studio, things she has found on the road.

"They have emotional and associative resonance, and can communicate meaning."

Warren, 41, said: "For somebody it could mean one thing and for somebody else it could mean something else."

Prize money

The shortlist is completed by German-born artist Tomma Abts' abstract paintings and Mark Titchner's hybrid installations, including t-shirts adorned with song lyrics and advertising slogans, interweaving philosophy and popular culture.

Previous winners of the often-controversial prize have included Damien Hirst, who triumphed with his pickled sheep, Chris Ofili, known for using elephant dung in his work, and transvestite potter Grayson Perry.

In 2001, conceptual artist Martin Creed won with a bare room containing a light that switched on an off.

This year's winner will receive �25,000 prize money, while the other finalists will each win �5,000.