There's not long to go until Luke Jerram's captivating artwork, Mars: War & Peace arrives in Peterborough where it will be displayed inside a cathedral for the first time ever from January 9.
Peterborough Cathedral will be proudly hosting Mars: War & Peace, an extraordinary new artwork from pioneering artist Luke Jerram. Following on from his other extraordinary astronomical artworks Museum of the Moon and Gaia, this one will be presented with a new soundtrack in the Nave, a space to encourage peaceful contemplation from January 9 - 29.Â
Mars: War & Peace provides an opportunity for us to consider the history of human conflict around the world, whilst feeling transported to the inhospitable desert wasteland of Mars.
Luke Jerram said - "Mars: War & Peace follows on from my other touring astronomical artworks Museum of the Moon and Gaia, and allows a close encounter with the Martian planet. I hope that visitors will feel transported to its inhospitable desert wasteland and in comparison, really value our life on Earth."
Accompanying the Mars sculpture is a newly created sound composition by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award winning composer Dan Jones. Featuring the sounds of seas, deserts and clips from NASA missions to Mars, it also incorporates the sounds of distant bombing and people marching, as if to war. The cosmic artwork is a fusion of Mars imagery, light and surround sound composition and will be free to view during normal Cathedral hours.
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It's the perfect way to brighten up those grey January days. On selected evenings, you can bathe in its ethereal, spellbinding glow for just £3pp. Â
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This is the first time that Mars: War & Peace has been displayed in a Cathedral, something the whole city can be incredibly proud of. Like other venues the Cathedral has programmed a series of events to encourage contemplation not just of the beauty of the red planet but the vast wonder of space and creation.Â
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Peterborough Cathedral also joins forces with Peterborough Positive and businesses across the city offering special incentives and discounts on selected days wherever you see the Mars sticker in the window. Businesses include, The Key Theatre, Peterborough City Council, Bean Around café , Dice Box café , Soul Happy, Westgate Grill, Blind Tiger, The Museum, Embe Afro Caribbean restaurant and Becket's Traditional Tea Rooms.
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Head of Marketing & Communications at Peterborough Cathedral, Paul Stainton said -
"It is fantastic that so many local businesses have come together, with the help of the Peterborough Positive BID team, to support our Mars art installation.
"With money in short supply after Christmas, people can bring their families and enjoy this amazing artwork for free during our normal business hours.
"This in turn should provide a welcome boost for the city centre, and increase footfall considerably, in what is normally a quiet month."Â
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Full details are available on the website:Â https://www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk/home/mars-war--peace.aspx
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