13-19 May marks national Mental Health Awareness Week, with the theme for this year being ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’. In celebration of this theme, we will be launching our ‘Discovery Trail’ around the centre, to encourage guests to walk the 1.2 mile circular route whilst discovering the shopping centre’s fascinating history, sculptures, and interesting facts along the way.
Guests are invited to collect a map from the Guest Services Desk and follow the trail where they can discover the whereabouts of an iconic Cliff Richard music video location and historic Political and Royal openings as part of our Centre Plaque’s trail, as well as incredible sculptures and unusual plant life throughout the centre - all whilst getting moving to support mental health and wellbeing.
Roman Mosaic at Guest Services
On our Guest Services wall we have the remains of one of the Mosaics recovered from the Roman Villa in Bancroft. Circa 4th century AD.
Tsugumi Ota sculptures on Silbury Arcade
John Lewis Mural by Robin and Lucienne Day on Midsummer Arcade
Along the right side of the John Lewis & Partners store are a series of tiled panels which spell out ‘ J O H N L E W I S’.
centre:mk Clock on Midsummer Arcade
Our centre:mk mechanical clock stands 5 metre high on Midsummer Arcade opposite Primark & H&M HOME.
Circle of Light by Liliane Lijn on Midsummer Arcade
"Circle of Light" created in 1980, consists of 23 tubes made from aluminium and copper wire, creating a curved, circular plane that reflects the shape of the sun, moon and human eye. The cylindrical tubes relate to the shapes behind the retina of the eye that convert light into electrical pulses.
Vox Pop by John Clinch on Midsummer Arcade
A shortened form of 'vox populi' a Latin phrase meaning the voice of the people. Clinch's work celebrates ordinary members of the public. The 'family' walk a dog, cycle and push a baby buggy following a circular path, encouraging visitors to walk round them and examine the detail of the sculpture. The sculpture was originally intended to show thediversity of people needed to make Milton Keynes a great city.
The Meeting by Nicholas Moreton located outside in City Square
"The Meeting" was made from Birds eye Derbyshire fossil limestone and bronze in 1995.
The outer panels Dawn and Reflection showcases a man and woman separately contemplating the day's events. The Cup (central panel) is described by the artist as showing 'a man and woman sharing thoughts and wishes, symbolised by the sharing of a drink from the same cup'
The Conversation by Nicholas Moreton located outside in City Square
"The Conversation" was made from Kilkenny black fossil limestone and bronze in 1995 and consists of two figures in conversation, raised from the ground on a plinth away from the bustle of the people below.
Dream Flight by Philomena Davidson on Silbury Arcade
Dream Flight is part of a series of three sculptures – 'Flying Carpet', 'High Flyer', and 'Dream Flight' – which focus on the theme of flight. The artist says: 'they depict man’s fantasy with flight and escapism, in particular, the sorts of escapist dreams that come to us in childhood and adolescence.'
High Flyer by Philomena Davidson on Silbury Arcade
The artist describes the sculpture as: ‘A girl running and jumping up to touch a kite, set upon a shallow round plinth, and supported by a square pedestal. The work is part of a series of three sculptures – 'Flying Carpet', 'High Flyer', and 'Dream Flight' – which focus on the theme of flight.
The artist says: 'they depict man’s fantasy with flight and escapism, in particular, the sorts of escapist dreams that come to us in childhood and adolescence.'
Flying Carpet by Philomena Davidson on Silbury Arcade
The artist describes the sculpture as: A smiling boy looking ahead, his legs astride a lifting patterned carpet, mounted on a square pedestal completed in 1989. The work is part of a series of three sculptures – 'Flying Carpet', 'High Flyer', and 'Dream Flight' – which focus on the theme of flight.
The artist says: 'they depict man’s fantasy with flight and escapism, in particular, the sorts of escapist dreams that come to us in childhood and adolescence.'
Goldie the Cow on Silbury Arcade
Goldie, one of 50 cows in Herd About MK, adorned by local businesses for Milton Keynes' 50th birthday in 2017, infused art into the cityscape while supporting Willen Hospice, MK Community Foundation, and MK Dons SET
