By Anca, Youth Volunteer at Exeter Cathedral
Hi, I’m Anca, and the night of 9 January, I experienced something at Exeter Cathedral that I’ll never forget. I’ve lived in Exeter my whole life, and while the Cathedral has always been this incredible, historic place, it’s never felt quite as alive as it did during Time – a light and sound show created by the artistic team Luxmuralis.
This wasn’t just a regular evening at the Cathedral. It was a journey through history, science, and imagination, all brought to life with dazzling projections and powerful soundscapes. I’ve always loved art and stories, but this… this was like stepping inside a story that spanned the entire universe.
A Journey Through Time
Walking into the cathedral, I immediately felt like I was entering somewhere new. The towering arches and the intricate stonework that I’d passed by so many times were glowing with light, transforming into a canvas for the show. It wasn’t just the building that changed – it was everything.
The journey began in the present day, but we were quickly guided through different eras. The projections and soundscapes made history feel so vivid, like you could almost reach out and touch it. In one moment, we were exploring the intricate workings of clocks, with gears spinning and ticking all around us. In another, we were diving into the theories of relativity, with wormholes twisting and warping through the space above us.
And then there was the text of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine – words flowed along the walls, pulling us into the mind of someone imagining what it would be like to move through time. It gave me chills.
Light and Sound Like I’ve Never Seen
I’ve been to other art shows and light installations before, but nothing quite like this. Luxmuralis didn’t just use light to decorate the Cathedral – they used it to tell a story. The projections moved and shifted, wrapping around the architecture in a way that made it feel alive.
The soundscapes, created by David Harper, were just as incredible. The music wasn’t just background noise; it was part of the journey. At times, it was loud and dramatic, making the space feel huge and powerful. Other times, it was softer, almost like a heartbeat, pulling you into quieter, more reflective moments.
There was one part where the Cathedral seemed to transform into the universe itself. Galaxies swirled across the ceiling, bursts of light filled the space, and the music swelled like the universe expanding. It was breathtaking.
My Favourite Moment
If I had to pick a favourite part, it would probably be the section that took us “back to the very beginning of everything.” The projections made it feel like we were traveling through time and space-past stars being born, past the formation of planets, all the way back to the start of it all.
Standing there, surrounded by all that light and sound, I felt so small in the most amazing way. It made me think about how connected everything is – how the Cathedral’s ancient stones, the stories of the past, and even the science of the universe all come together in this one place, in this one moment.
Why Time Matters
I think what makes Time so special is that it’s not just about art or history or science-it’s about all of it, all at once. It’s about seeing the world, and ourselves, through a bigger lens. And it’s something anyone can appreciate.
I saw families with little kids pointing at the lights and laughing, older couples holding hands as they took it all in, and people my age just standing there, completely mesmerised. It didn’t matter who you were – everyone left with that same look of awe on their face.
A Night to Remember
For me, Time wasn’t just a cool light show (though it was definitely that). It was a reminder of how amazing the world is – how much there is to learn, to imagine, and to explore. And honestly? It made me proud to live in a city that can host something this incredible.