Visitor Numbers Hit New Heights

Visitor numbers hit new heights at cathedrals transformed by light and sound shows

Visitor numbers at Lincoln Cathedral reached a new high last month as thousands came to see the Grade 1 listed building transformed for the first time by a digital art and soundscape that celebrated life in all its forms.

It was the first time the creative team behind Luxmuralis had produced their work at Lincoln Cathedral and their show, Life proved to be the biggest event the Cathedral had ever seen.

Over the four nights of the show over 10,000 visitors came – hundreds waiting in queues together for their time slot. The cathedral ended up introducing three extra slots to meet demand.

Lincoln Cathedral’s Residentiary Canon, the Revd Canon David Dadswell, said:

“Life by Luxmuralis was an exceptional evening for all involved. 

“We sold over 10,000 tickets over four days making it the biggest event of its kind ever. 

“The cathedral and the artist Peter Walker and composer David Harper’s remarkable art project worked together astonishingly well and offered an immersive experience using the whole of the sacred space to move, challenge and amaze old and young alike. 

“Reactions from those attending ran along the lines of ‘stunning, beautiful, spectacular, mesmerising, awesome, majestic’ with a strong sense of what a good match the show was for the cathedral’s outstanding art and architecture. 

“The event fitted exactly with what we are trying to do to open the spiritual and artistic resources of our building to a wider and wider population from Lincolnshire and beyond,” he added.

Lincoln Cathedral has announced it is bringing Luxmuralis back next year – so keep an eye on their social media. 

Meanwhile Winchester Cathedral is expecting high visitor numbers as it hosts Luxmaralis’ Elements show this week for six nights.

Elements is an immersive light and sound show that explores natural phenomena and the creation of our world. The cathedral space will be divided into four areas exploring Earth, Air, Fire and Water in a new and contemporary way.

Elements is at Winchester Cathedral – 6-11 March

Later this month Exeter Cathedral welcomes back Luxmuralis for their new show, Renaissance, which draws its inspiration from the artistic, social and cultural developments from the 14^th – 17th centuries.

In previous years, Luxmuralis have drawn audiences of up to 10,000 people to the cathedral, with spectacular light projections and soundscapes, including Space in 2020 and Life in March last year.

It is the latest art attraction to come to Exeter Cathedral which in recent years has seen Luke Jerram’s giant replica Earth installation, Gaia, and Threads Through Creation, an exhibition of 12 enormous, embroidered silk panels by artist Jacqui Parkinson.

The Dean of Exeter, The Very Revd Jonathan Greener said the cathedral’s aim was to attract new visitors and deliver the Christian message in new ways.

“People can come here as first-time visitors and leave as pilgrims. The artworks we host often carry a message of hope and wonder, which sits at the heart of the Christian faith – the artists simply communicate it in a new way, to a new audience.

“Exeter Cathedral’s world-class gothic architecture will provide a beautiful canvas for Luxmuralis’ Renaissance, and we are very excited to share it all with the people of Devon and visitors from further afield,” he added.

Renaissance is at Exeter Cathedral – 21-25 March.

Photo – Luxmuralis, Peter Walker Sculptor