‘Everyone of every age looks up at the moon’: Giant art display impresses visitors to Southwell Minister

The 'Museum of the Moon' will stay at Southwell Minister for eight days.
By Henry Green
A giant detailed model of the moon is captivating visitors at Southwell Minister.
The touring art exhibition called ‘Museum of the Moon’ has already appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, at Glastonbury and the National History Museum.
The creation is the work of artist Luke Jerram, who is known worldwide for his large-scale public artworks.
Museum of the Moon has already reached more than 20 million people and has been presented in more than 40 countries. It is at the Minster until October 22.
A suspended sphere measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features detailed NASA imagery, with each centimetre of the sculpture representing five kilometres of the moon’s surface.

David Timsley, from Peterborough, visited the exhibition on Monday (October 14) with his family from Newark.
David said: “We came so that our granddaughter could see it, we actually saw it a few years ago in Kent and enjoyed it so we thought we would come and see it again.
“It is amazing. Everyone of every age looks up at the moon and wonders about it and here it is almost for real.”
Luke Jerram has been working internationally since 1997 and he has more than 70 permanent collections around the world.
He said: “What I try to do with these artworks is have multiple doors of entry.
“If you are an astronomer, you are going to really appreciate seeing all the details where as if you’re arriving as a couple wanting a romantic evening out,” he added.
“There is something romantic about sitting down and gazing at the moon together.”

Stuart Leask, from Beeston, said: “It’s very impressive. I find it interesting walking around that you spend most of the time looking at parts of the moon you can’t see from earth.
“It’s interesting reflecting on the colossal scientific achievement these images represent.”

The minister has previously hosted Luke Jerram’s artwork ‘Gaia’, a model of the earth.
Julie Walker, from Retford, said: “It’s actually a birthday treat from one of my best friends.
“She told me that she had been to visit the earth here and how good the exhibition was so when we knew the moon was coming, we wanted to come and have a look,” she added.
Tickets are £4 for adults, £2 for U16s, and U5s are free, with the exhibition remaining at Southwell Minister until next Tuesday (22 October).