A giant winter sun will arrive at the Old Royal Naval College later this month as Luke Jerram’s latest artwork gets its London premiere.
Helios will make its debut in the Painted Hall on Saturday January 25 and will be there for two months.
The seven-metre artwork, named the ancient Greek and Roman sun god, is a 1:200 scale model of the Sun, with every centimetre representing 200km of its fiery expanse, including sunspots and the solar activity that led to the northern lights being seen across the UK in May last year.
The imagery is based on photographs by Dr Stuart Green taken over six years and Nasa observations of the Sun with guidance from Dr Lucie Green, a solar scientist at University College London. It will be accompanied by a surround-sound composition from Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson.
Helios will follow Gaia, Jerram’s giant Earth; the Museum of the Moon; and Mars, which will be in the Painted Hall until Monday January 20.
Jerram said: “The soundscape, lighting and sheer scale of Helios, make this the most dramatic and ambitious of my designs and I cannot wait to see it showcased in the Painted Hall. This installation is designed to be thought-provoking and inspire awe. It is also a unique opportunity to discover the grandeur of this iconic hall and the many celestial, mythological and historical themes it explores in its painted ceiling.”
Matthew Mees, the chief executive of the Old Royal Naval College said: “Old Royal Naval College’s collaboration with Luke Jerram on Helios reflects the power of partnerships in creating extraordinary cultural experiences.
“Co-commissioning this brilliant artwork demonstrates how we can combine expertise and creativity to bring innovative projects to life. Together, we illuminate the beauty and mystery of the sun, the magnificence of the Painted Hall as well as the stories behind the paintings. We hope that Helios inspires people to explore art, science and heritage in new and meaningful ways.”
Helios was commissioned by the National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College, and University College London.
The Painted Hall has a £16.50 entry charge for adults, but is only £5 on the first Sunday of each month.
Follow The Greenwich Wire on Bluesky, Facebook, LinkedIn or Threads. You can also sign up for WhatsApp alerts – or subscribe to our emails through the blue box above.