THE MOON COMES TO TAUNTON
St Mary Magdalene Church plays host to the world-famous art installation by Luke Jerram.

Taunton Moon at the Minster
Museum of the Moon is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Measuring six metres in diameter, the 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*.

Over its lifetime, the Museum of the Moon will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors, so altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork. As it travels from place to place, it gathers new musical compositions and an ongoing collection of personal responses, stories and mythologies, as well as highlighting the latest moon science.

The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Each venue also programmes their own series lunar inspired events beneath the moon.

The moon has always inspired humanity, acting as a ‘cultural mirror’ to society, reflecting the ideas
and beliefs of all people around the world. Over the centuries, the moon has been interpreted as a god and as a planet. It has been used as a timekeeper, calendar and been a source of light to aid nighttime navigation. Throughout history the moon has inspired artists, poets, scientists, writers and musicians the world over. The ethereal blue light cast by a full moon, the delicate crescent following the setting sun, or the mysterious dark side of the moon has evoked passion and exploration. 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 around the world, and consider the latest moon science. Depending on where the artwork is presented, its meaning and interpretation will shift. Through local research at each location of the artwork, new stories and meanings will be collected and compared from one presentation to the next.

Opening Hours…

Friday 18th March – Thursday 31st March 2022

Friday 18th: 7pm – 9pm
Saturday 19th: 10am – 2pm / 7pm – 9pm
Sunday 20th: 7pm – 9pm
Monday 21st: 10am – 2pm
Tuesday 22nd: 10am – 2pm
Wednesday 23rd: 10am – 2pm
Thursday 24th: 10am – 2pm / 7pm – 9pm
Friday 25th: 10am – 2pm / 7pm – 9pm
Saturday 26th: 10am – 2pm / 7pm – 9pm
Sunday 27th: 7pm – 9pm
Monday 28th: 10am – 2pm
Tuesday 29th: 10am – 2pm
Wednesday 30th: 10am – 2pm
Thursday 31st: 10am – 2pm / 7pm – 9pm

(Times subject to change)

Pricing…
FREE (No booking required)

Photograph: Loretta Whetlor