Museum of the Moon
New touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the inflated moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
The Museum of the Moon will be presented in a number of different ways, both indoors and outdoors, over time. This results in altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it will gather new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.
The moon can be presented as a venue for lunar inspired events to be held beneath it, but also as an installation artwork in its own right.
From the beginning of human history, the moon has acted as a ‘cultural mirror’ to our beliefs, understanding and ways of seeing. The moon has been interpreted as a god and as a planet. The moon has been used as a timekeeper, calendar and as a night-time navigation aid. Throughout history the moon inspired artists, poets, writers and musicians the world over. Different cultures around the world have their own historical, cultural and religious relationships to the moon.
In more recent history, the moon has been a site for ongoing scientific exploration. The far side of the moon cannot be seen from the earth, and was seen for the first time by scientists in 1959. For most people this artwork will be an unique opportunity to see the moon in exquisite detail and in three dimensions.
Museum of the Moon allows us to observe and contemplate cultural similarities and differences around the world and to acknowledge moon science. Depending on where and how the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation will shift. Local research carried out by Luke Jerram at each location of the artwork results in new stories and meanings.
‘Museum of the Moon by artist Luke Jerram, co-commissioned by a number of creative organisations brought together by Luke Jerram and Norfolk & Norwich Festival. These include: At-Bristol, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Lakes Alive, Provincial Domain Dommelhof, Brighton Festival, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival and Without Walls. The artwork has also been created in partnership with the UK Space Agency, University of Bristol and The Association for Science and Discovery Centres.