Luna is a tactile, moveable sculpture of the Moon, now in situ outside St Martin's Island Hall. This was commissioned by COSMOS with support from Creative Scilly and enabled by funding from Arts Council England, designed by internationally renowned artist, Luke Jerram.
In 2018 Luke Jerram undertook a residency on Scilly, collaborating with COSMOS and developing a creative response to Scilly's astonishing night sky. Local engagement was key, and Luke spent time with us, alongside residents and school pupils to understand their aspirations for the project. The Luna artwork was developed from this residency and reflects Jerram’s interest in astronomy as well as the significant role that the Moon plays in island life through its effect on the tides.
Luna is the first public art commission on St Martin's: a 1m diameter sculpture designed using detailed NASA imagery and topographical data of the Moon’s surface, fusing art and science. People can explore and touch the moon close-up, including the usually unseen dark side (far side) of the Moon.
People will be able to contemplate and explore the Moon, a distant object which has a significant, direct, daily impact on Scillonian life, dictating the tides that affect access to the islands. This will transform and enhance their experience of viewing the ‘real’ moon, both in situ with the naked eye, and with the state-of-the-art telescopes in the observatory.
Alongside Luke Jerram’s commission St Martin’s-based creatives will be developing new work. Jeweller Fay Page and glass artist Oriel Hicks have both developed Moon-inspired work to coincide with the launch of the public art commission. The local school, Five Islands Academy's St Martin's Base, have also been integral to the development of the project, with the children influencing the ideas through Luke's residency, and opening the launch event with their own astronomy-inspired artworks.
Luke says, “With pristine, unpolluted dark skies the island is such a special space. I hope that Luna will invite people to reflect on the Moon’s influence on island life and our place in the universe.”
Val Thomas from COSMOS says, “We feel truly privileged and are delighted to be the recipients of ‘Luna’, such a unique, major artwork by Luke Jerram. It will certainly be a wonderful addition to the understanding of astronomy offered by our observatory and will provide added enjoyment for all ages, islanders and visitors alike.”
If you've got 4 and a bit minutes longer, have a look at the video of the installation of Luna, created by Jack Fisher, to mark the official unveiling of the sculpture on 8 June 2023. We hope you enjoy the journey.
Luna is the first public art commission on St Martin's: a 1m diameter sculpture designed using detailed NASA imagery and topographical data of the Moon’s surface, fusing art and science. People can explore and touch the moon close-up, including the usually unseen dark side (far side) of the Moon.
People will be able to contemplate and explore the Moon, a distant object which has a significant, direct, daily impact on Scillonian life, dictating the tides that affect access to the islands. This will transform and enhance their experience of viewing the ‘real’ moon, both in situ with the naked eye, and with the state-of-the-art telescopes in the observatory.
Alongside Luke Jerram’s commission St Martin’s-based creatives will be developing new work. Jeweller Fay Page and glass artist Oriel Hicks have both developed Moon-inspired work to coincide with the launch of the public art commission. The local school, Five Islands Academy's St Martin's Base, have also been integral to the development of the project, with the children influencing the ideas through Luke's residency, and opening the launch event with their own astronomy-inspired artworks.
Luke says, “With pristine, unpolluted dark skies the island is such a special space. I hope that Luna will invite people to reflect on the Moon’s influence on island life and our place in the universe.”
Val Thomas from COSMOS says, “We feel truly privileged and are delighted to be the recipients of ‘Luna’, such a unique, major artwork by Luke Jerram. It will certainly be a wonderful addition to the understanding of astronomy offered by our observatory and will provide added enjoyment for all ages, islanders and visitors alike.”
If you've got 4 and a bit minutes longer, have a look at the video of the installation of Luna, created by Jack Fisher, to mark the official unveiling of the sculpture on 8 June 2023. We hope you enjoy the journey.
