An 18-ton polished marble by the Japanese artist Kan Yasuda graces the space between 100 Barbirolli Square and the Bridgewater Hall. The sculpture reportedly cost £20,000; and is a fixture with photography fans. It is undoubtedly popular for all sorts of reasons, from its unusual shape through its position to a supposed meaning. Given the name, however – Pebble – one may imply that this space was regarded by the artist as the coastline where a gigantic pebble was washed ashore by the waves of the Industrial revolution perhaps. Or, if we remember that stars turn into stones as they fall, then perhaps this is a fitting monument for the square named after the virtuoso conductor.