Festé inspired by space, moon and tides
Organisers of Derby Festé have joined forces with Bondholder Derby Cathedral to present a breathtaking attraction in the run up to the city’s popular annual arts festival.
‘Museum of the Moon’ is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram and will be installed in the majestic Derby Cathedral for visitors to enjoy before and throughout Derby Festé which will return to the city streets on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.
The installation is a fusion of lunar imagery, moonlight and surround sound composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Although ‘Museum of the Moon’ will be open to the public from 16 th September 2019, the installation will take on new meaning as part of the spectacular Friday afternoon and evening launch of Derby Festé on Friday September 27th.
Marking the 50th anniversary this year of the Apollo 11 moon landings and coinciding with a new moon on the 28th, the installation is a key element of the Festé theme this year - ‘Space, Moon & Tides’.
Family-friendly Derby Festé has been a key feature in the Derby festivals calendar for the past 13 years.
It attracts more than 30,000 visitors to the city centre over the two-festival which features performers from across Europe in a celebration of street entertainment including dance, contemporary circus, music and comedy.
The announcement of ‘Museum of the Moon’ coincides with confirmation of several key performances.
The two-day festival is funded by Arts Council England and Bondholder Derby City Council with sponsorship from Bondholders Derby Cathedral, University of Derby, Cathedral Quarter and Intu Derby.
Stephen Munn, the Artistic Lead of Derby Festé and Artistic Director of Bondholder Déda, said: “The ‘Museum of the Moon’ has been met with rave reviews wherever it has toured and we are delighted that this breathtaking and magical installation will be a key focus of this year’s Derby Festé to set the scene for this year’s theme of ‘Space, Moon & Tides’.
We look to bring a new aspect into the Derby Festé programme every year but the constant theme is that this weekend is something that brings everyone together to enjoy a unique atmosphere in the city centre.
“This year will be no exception and we look forward to announcing the full Derby Festé programme in the coming weeks.”
To sign up for the latest news and details of ‘Malaya’ which will be one of two ticketed performances (with all other shows free of charge) – please visit www.derbyfeste.com or follow on social media.
“I guarantee that, once seen, visitors will want to return to the Cathedral several times to immerse themselves in the simple wonderment of the moon’s surface which has been captured in amazing detail by artist Luke Jerram.
“The Friday afternoon and evening will bring together all the elements of Festé’s theme – linking the moon with the river and taking visitors to an alien, futuristic world of wonder with the procession which is a definite highlight of Festé every year.
“Our aim is to bring a wide range of superb artists from across the UK and Europe to Derby Festé every September and it is a firm favourite with audiences across the city and beyond.