The full moon shows its face to earth once a month. But ahead of the next Full Worm Moon on Friday 18th March, there is a once in a blue moon opportunity to see this lunar phase twice as a breath-taking art installation comes to Wentworth Woodhouse.
As part of WE Wonder Noir, which will showcase modern works by Yorkshire-based artists within state rooms of the grade I listed stately home, Luke Jerram’s renowned touring exhibition Museum of the Moon will be making its first appearance in South Yorkshire.
Museum of the Moon is an internally lit spherical sculpture of the moon measuring seven metres in diameter to a 1:500,000 scale; each centimetre represents 5km of the moon’s surface. The sculpture features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, meaning for most stargazers this will be the closest encounter they will have with the moon.
Having already been seen by over 10 million people in over 30 countries at indoor and outdoor venues ranging from Glastonbury to the National History Museum, Museum of the Moon comes to Wentworth Woodhouse following 2019’s WE Wonder Noir when Jerram’s Gaia Earth was on display.
The spectacular moon sculpture will be in the Marble Saloon at Wentworth Woodhouse accompanied by music created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Throughout the week-long event, the other state rooms will also be playing host to a variety of art installations.
Barnsley artist Patrick Murphy has created a neon installation inspired by George Stubbs’ famous Whistlejacket painting commissioned by Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham. There will also be a laser projection connecting the house to its surrounding landscapes devised by Murphy.
Connecting the present to the past, We Wonder Noir will also present composer Ed Carter’s The Mute Still Air, paying homage to the coal mining history through the movement of air, light, and sound. With a striking hexagonal structure at its centre, the work incorporates lights, fans, and a series of tuned copper wind chimes, casting moving shadows throughout the grand setting.
Pif Paf Theatre will showcase a new immersive experience in the Mansion’s chapel, which takes people into the roots of a tree and beyond. Many other artists will be presenting work including Tala Lee-Turton, Helen Mort, James Lockey and Andy Seward.
WE Wonder Noir runs from Friday 11th to Friday 18th March from 6pm until 9pm, except for Thursday 17th when there will be no event. On the opening and closing dates, additional work will be featured.
Tickets are just £5 for adults and children under 16 go free. There will be food and drink available to purchase each night.
Pre-book to avoid disappointment. www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
