Related article: Museum of the Moon
I was kindly reminded by Facebook yesterday that three years ago I visited Hexham Abbey to see and photograph the Museum of the Moon art installation by UK artist Luke Jerram.
It was impressive to say the least to see an internally lit spherical sculpture with an approximate scale of 1:500,000 and each centimetre of the globe represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan. 
Museum of the Moon artist Luke Jerram at Carlisle Cathedral. Picture: Ian Duncan.
On Thursday (October 1) I went along to Carlisle Cathedral because it is on display there throughout October and it was good to see it again. It is very atmospheric and the accompanying soundtrack adds to that feeling.
But, unlike the visit to Hexham Abbey we actually had privileged access to the upper level of the cathedral, via a very tight and narrow spiral staircase, to look down upon the Moon so thanks must go to the Interim Dean and his staff at the cathedral for sorting that for us. And, as The Waterboys once sang, I have finally seen the whole of the Moon because I was able to look down upon it.
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The Moon is suspended from the clerestory in the Cathedral and it rests under the starry ceiling for which Carlisle Cathedral is well known.
The artist said: “I hope visitors enjoy having the opportunity to see the Moon up close – to inspect all its craters, valleys and mountains, and to see the far side of the Moon for the first time. It’s a great pleasure to present the Museum of the Moon in Carlisle Cathedral which will frame the artwork so well. Thanks to all the invigilators and staff involved!”
The Venerable Michael Everitt, Interim Dean of Carlisle, added: “Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon inside Carlisle Cathedral – along with our stellar ceiling – will enable us to see in close detail its landscape. There will no longer be an obstacle for us to see it up close. In the setting of our stars, it will be as if the heavens are close at hand. A divine view, accessible to all, in the heart of our city.”
Museum of the Moon is on display until Sunday, November 1, Mondays to Saturdays, from 10am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4.30pm, and on Sundays, from noon to 2pm, around the normal pattern of worship.
Admission is by invited voluntary donation, suggested at £5 per adult or £12 per family, and no pre-booking is required during daytime opening hours.
• For more information visit the Carlisle Catedral website
The artist has also created a number of similar artworks including the Sun and the Earth which was also displayed last year in Hexham Abbey.
Related article: SMALL WORLD… GAIA art installation at Hexham Abbey
