Famous Moon sculpture returns to Exeter Cathedral this weekend
Museum of the Moon, a seven-metre moon artwork by world-famous artist, Luke Jerram, is to return to Exeter Cathedral on Saturday [1 February].
The giant, internally-lit sculpture, which features high-resolution NASA imagery of the lunar surface, is to be suspended from the cathedral’s famous stone vault nave ceiling until 1 March.
At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the sculpture represents five kilometres of the moon’s surface. The sculpture is to be accompanied by a surround-sound composition, specially created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer, Dan Jones.
Museum of the Moon made its Exeter debut in 2022, attracting approximately 54,0000 visitors to the cathedral. The Very Rev’d Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter, hopes this year’s installation will be just as popular:
“We are really excited to be hosting Luke Jerram’s stunning Moon once again. Last time it touched so many people really deeply, and we were particularly taken with the joy it brought to children and young people. We’ve brought it back so that yet more people from all over Devon can come and experience the awesomeness of the moon in Exeter Cathedral’s wonderful nave.”
In recent years Exeter Cathedral has also displayed Jerram’s other astronomical installations, Gaia and Mars: War and Peace.
Jerram said his inspiration for the artwork came from the idea of the moon as a ‘cultural mirror,’ reflecting different ideas and beliefs in different parts of the world. He explained:
“Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted in many different ways. It has been used as a timekeeper, calendar and been a source of light to aid nighttime navigation, while also inspiring artists, poets, scientists, writers and musicians.
“Different cultures around the world have their own historical, cultural, scientific and religious relationships to the moon. And yet somehow, despite these differences, the moon connects us all.
“Museum of the Moon allows us to observe and contemplate cultural similarities and differences. The interpretation of the Moon will be completely different depending on where it is presented. So, I am looking forward to displaying the artwork within the historic setting of Exeter Cathedral again, allowing visitors there to see the moon up close.”
Museum of the Moon will be on display at Exeter Cathedral from 1 February – 1 March. Tickets cost £7 (plus booking fee) for adults, with free admission for accompanied children under 18. Advance booking recommended via the Exeter Cathedral website: www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk