What to see and do – Autumn in our Cathedrals

What’s on in your Cathedrals this Autumn?

Artist, Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon had a successful landing at Southwell Minster, his Gaia can now be found in Bristol and Southwark cathedrals, Gloucester and Chichester are hosting his Mars: War and Peace, Luxmuralis’ Space proved a complete sell-out for first-time Hereford Cathedral, St Albans is preparing to host its first film festival, Guildford has welcomed in eight local artists and Worcester is the latest cathedral to host the late Magnum photographer, Peter Marlow’s The English Cathedral.

Just some of the exhibitions and events in our cathedrals this autumn alongside our daily rhythm of prayer. 

Over 7,000 visitors came to gaze upon Hereford Cathedral lit up for the first time by artistic duo Luxmuralis’s creation, Space.

Photo credit – Carrie Potter

The cathedral’s first sound and light installation was a sell-out before opening night and featured the creation story, the Big Bang and a unique view of Earth as if looking back from space under a galaxy of stars.

The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said:

“It has been incredible to welcome new visitors to the cathedral to witness Space – some of whom had travelled very long distances indeed through some very wet weather. 

“To see small children dancing amongst the stars in the nave, old timers like me reliving the moon-landing and joining the dots between the biblical and scientific accounts of creation, and a general sense of wonder expressed in quiet fascination by over 7000 people of all ages this week has been a joy and a privilege.

“I’m wondering when we can have another one!” she added.

Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon at Southwell Minster has just come to an end and offered a range of activities from children’s space-themed crafts to an all-female a cappella quintet, an afternoon of poetry and music and Compline under the moon.

Meanwhile Luke Jerram’s Gaia has landed at Bristol Cathedral and is the centrepiece for Gaia: Our Home Planet an immersive exhibition that explores the beauty and fragility of Earth, highlighting the diversity of life and the impact of human activity on our climate.

The exhibition addresses the Christian perspective on caring for creation, emphasising the spiritual responsibility to protect our planet. Interactive elements invite visitors to make pledges towards sustainable living and learn how climate change affects communities, including Bristol.

Luke Jerram’s Gaia has also made a return visit to Southwark Cathedral for the second time as part of a programme designed to inspire visitors of all ages into positive action to protect our planet.

The Cathedral’s climate justice season is presented in partnership with international development agency Christian Aid and there’s a wide range of music, worship, events, talks, star-gazing, night time visits, and much more.

The artist, Luke Jerram said:

“I hope visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. An ecosystem we urgently need to look after – our only home. Halfway through the Earth’s sixth mass extinction, we urgently need to wake up, and change our behaviour. We need to quickly make the changes necessary, to prevent runaway Climate Change. 

At Southwark until Nov 2, more here.

Worcester Cathedral is the 23rd cathedral to host Peter Marlow’s The English Cathedral on its pilgrimage round every one of our 42 Anglican cathedrals.

This free photographic exhibition chronicles all 42 naves of England’s cathedrals taken in natural light and can be viewed in Worcester’s Chapter House until 17 November.

The Very Reverend Canon Dr Stephen Edwards, Dean of Worcester, said:

“It is an absolute honour for us to host Peter Marlow’s stunning exhibition here in Worcester. 

“I often walk through the Cathedral early in the morning and marvel at its beauty in the natural light. For Peter to have observed this and taken the time to travel around all of the English cathedrals and capture these serene and beautiful moments to share with us all is truly remarkable.”

Peter Marlow (b. UK, 1952 – 2016) was commissioned in 2008 by Royal Mail on the 300th year anniversary of the completion of St Paul’s Cathedral to photograph six Anglican Cathedrals that were issued as commemorative stamps. So taken was he by these initial magnificent interiors that he set out to photograph all 42, guided over the next three years by a copy of English Cathedrals (1989) by Edwin Smith and Olive Cook and a pack of Anglican Cathedrals of England Top Trumps Cards.

The Mars: War and Peace artwork by Luke Jerram has just gone on display in Gloucester Cathedral until 3 November.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the rotating artwork by artist Luke Jerram features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface and has been suspended from the nave. It is accompanied by an immersive soundtrack from award winning composer Dan Jones which features the sounds of seas, and deserts, as well as echoes of distant bombing and people walking in the landscape – as if escaping war – to highlight injustice and the impact of armed conflict.

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester said:

“As this timely exhibition graces our sacred space, it not only reminds us of the beauty and mystery of God’s universe, but also provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the enduring hope for peace. 

“In the presence of this remarkable sculpture, we hope visitors will find the space to contemplate the injustices that are present all around us. We hope this artwork can help us in our Christian mission to work tirelessly for a just future for our communities and for the world.”

Mars: War and Peace opened in Chichester Cathedral on Saturday and the cathedral has announced an exciting programme of special events, from Mars by twilight, a series of ticketed evening viewings, where the installation will be on show alongside a sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.

The programme also features concerts, events and family activities under Mars. Highlights include a special concert by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performing Gustav Holst’s Mars, Bringer of War Movement of The Planets, free lunchtime concerts, space-themed storytelling sessions for children, intergalactic art workshops and a family-friendly Mission to Mars trail around Chichester city centre.

Additionally, the Cathedral’s regular programme of worship will feature special services and a Reflection and Prayer Trail, emphasising themes of sustainability.

Until 10 November.

St Albans Cathedral is preparing to host the city’s tenth film festival for the first time with a wide range of films, discussions, workshops and activities from a presentation to find out more about careers and opportunities in film and TV, a Gromit model-making workshop with Aardman Animations, and a Grease Sing-a-Long.

Starts October 30.

Guildford Cathedral has welcomed in a group of eight artists who develop work in watercolour, gouache, acrylic, mixed media. lino cut and fabric collage.  Their subject matter includes still life, gardens, landscape, birds, flowers and seascapes. Exhibition on until 10 November.