‘Memory and Reflection’ – Musselburgh, Scotland - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place

‘Memory and Reflection’

Musselburgh, Scotland

A shiny sculpture celebrating the mighty mollusk. 

View all photos
The barnacles feature engravings of local history. linkogecko (Atlas Obscura User)
Inside of the mussel shell. linkogecko (Atlas Obscura User)
The base of the sculpture. linkogecko (Atlas Obscura User)
Detail of the barnacles. linkogecko (Atlas Obscura User)
'Memory and Reflection' or 'The Mussel'. linkogecko (Atlas Obscura User)
Musselburgh Coat of Arms SEANETTA (Atlas Obscura User)
132
244
Top Places in Musselburgh
Bow-less archer.
'The Musselburgh Archer'
Musselburgh, Scotland
Former Edenhall Hospital
Musselburgh, Scotland
Rough Wooing Memorial
Musselburgh, Scotland
 See All

When the city council of Musselburgh agreed to the construction of a Tesco supermarket, it came with one peculiar condition: that Tesco would eventually finance art projects in the city itself. Tesco committed £76,000 to two art projects, the first of which was “Memory and Reflection” by local artist Michael Johnson.

Installed around June 2018, the inspiration for his work is right there in the city’s name. Musselburgh stems from the name of this popular mollusk and the suffix, burgh meaning “town,” thanks to its abundance of this food source. Johnson decided on a large, reflective silver mussel for his sculpture, and the title stems in its concept as a surface on which to reflect both the image of the beholder and the memories inspired by the symbol of the mollusk.

The barnacles attached to the mussel’s shell are engraved with symbols representing the history of Musselburgh, from its Roman occupation to the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Additional symbols, these ones seemingly designed by schoolchildren, are located on the base of the sculpture. These seem to show illustrations of everyday Musselburgh scenes as well as flora and fauna of the region.

Know Before You Go

This sculpture is located in the public Maitland waterfront park and can be seen at any time.

Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland : Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Culture, history, and scenery with a globe-trotting bagpiper.
Book Now
seafood public art sculptures art
Nearby
'The Musselburgh Archer'
0.74 miles
Newcraighall Monuments
0.98 miles
St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard
1.05 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Bow-less archer.
Musselburgh, Scotland

'The Musselburgh Archer'

A sculpture dedicated to the Roman history steeped in a Scottish town.
"Spirit of Community" monolithic sculpture.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Newcraighall Monuments

Mining, a local filmmaker, and a philanthropist doctor all commemorated within a small space in suburban Edinburgh
Graveyard.
Inveresk, Scotland

St Michael's Parish Church and Kirkyard

This 19th-century sanctuary was built atop a hill that once housed a Roman fort.
Coade Stone Columns.
Edinburgh, Scotland

Coade Stone Columns

It's a mystery how these curious columns wound up in an Edinburgh suburb.
Related Places
Vashon, Washington

Oscar the Bird King

Thomas Dambo's troll sculpture wears a crown with birdhouses on his head.
Avanos, Turkey

Çanakçı Heykeli

This giant work of Cappadocian pottery includes a memorial for the artisan who created it.
London, England

Square the Block

A jumble of concrete on the corner of one of London’s terraced buildings is actually a work of art.
Orlando, Florida

'The Traveler'

If you don't look closely, you might mistake this sculpture for just another passenger waiting at the airport.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web