Edinburgh, Craigleith Retail Park

The Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (http://www.pmsa.org.uk/) set up a National Recording Project in 1997 with the aim of making a survey of public monuments and sculpture in Britain ranging from medieval monuments to the most contemporary works. Information from the Edinburgh project was added to the RCAHMS database in October 2010 and again in 2012.

The PMSA (Public Monuments and Sculpture Association) Edinburgh Sculpture Project has been supported by Eastern Photocolour, Edinburgh College of Art, the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust, Historic Scotland, the Hope Scott Trust, The Old Edinburgh Club, the Pilgrim Trust, the RCAHMS, and the Scottish Archive Network.

26 elements arranged in a horizontal band on a sandstone curving wall topped by carved letters. Each form is unique, some multi-part, all abstract, and centred on a horizontal line (with the exception of the largest element, a cog-like form, which drops below the other and goes horizontally 'into' the wall. The rest follow the frontal vertical plane of the wall). A variety of surface textures, colours and types of stone have been used. Most forms play on the square / rectangle / circle motif.

The 26 different stones come from 18 different countries.

Inscriptions : Large angle-carved letters into sandstone blocks along top of curved wall (left to right): CRAIGLEITH QUARRY J SAINSBURY

Carved into stone at front of wall supporting 'garden' in front of work: MCMXCIII

Signatures : [Steel plaque on wall to right gives title, explanation and artist's name]

Text: STONE ALPHABET / The 26 pieces of stone alphabet form a symbolic alphabet, reminding of progress made in communication, / science and art. It is both a monument to its beginnings in / the quarry and a record of the quarry's industrial past. / James Ritchie 1993.

Design period : 1993

Year of unveiling : 1993

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN0167)