Edinburgh, Redheughs Avenue, The Wealth Of Nations

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.

A monumental work which combines figurative fragments with geometric elements. A massive robotic head hangs horizontally, sandwiched between geometric blocks. In front, two enormous hands grasp vertical rods rising out of large blocks. A pair of disembodied feet, one at an angle on top of the other, and with a square-sectioned tube curling between them, lie at the other end of the 'figure'. These are also supported by stacked blocks. The disparate parts of what can be read as a reclining figure are linked by serpentine linear elements and the series of blocks. The inscription is on the block beneath the feet.

In the summer of 1992, the Royal Bank of Scotland commissioned a sculpture from Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, to be placed outside the main entrance to its new office building, Drummond House.

The title, from Adam Smith's book, and the quotation from Einstein refer to both Scottish economics and enlightenment values as well as the artist's interest in science. The figurative parts recall antique fragments. The 'building blocks' echo the architecture behind and emphasise the idea of modernity. The linking 'snake' of bronze alludes to the 'Laocoon' sculpture, an image of human endurance and struggle. Paolozzi stated, " The whole represents a strong belief in optimism and progress."

Inspected By : D. King

Inscriptions : Raised bronze letters on block beneath feet:

KNOWLEDGE IS WONDERFUL BUT [on riser of upper step] / IMAGINATION IS EVEN BETTER / EINSTEIN [on riser of lower step]

Signatures : Raised bronze letters on block beneath front hand: EDUARDO PAOLOZZI 1992/3

Design period : 1992-1993

Year of unveiling : 1993

Unveiling details : Unveiled 2 July 1993 by H. M. The Queen

Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN1014)