A GROUNDBREAKING new work by artist Luke Jerram will be the centrepiece for this year's Halloween celebrations in Derry.
Tying in with this year's theme of 'Under the Samhain Moon’, Jerram's acclaimed Museum of The Moon comes to the Guildhall from Saturday October 28 until Tuesday October 31 and will allow visitors to explore the lunar landscape in unprecedented detail.
It features a giant, seven metre diameter, illuminated scale model of the Moon suspended from the ceiling of the main hall of the Guildhall, complimented by a surrounding soundtrack created by Bafta and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Detailed Nasa imagery of the lunar surface has been used to create what the artist hopes will be the closest people can come to experiencing and exploring the Moon while remaining on Earth.
"I wanted to make the artwork seem as authentic and realistic as possible to give the public the opportunity to fly to the Moon," Luke explains.
"For most people, this will be the most intimate, personal and closest encounter they will ever have with it.
"As a child I always wanted a telescope so I could study the Moon and the night’s sky.
"Now with my own Moon, I can fly there, study every detail and share this experience with the public. We can explore the far side of the Moon, which is never visible from Earth."
He adds: "It’s been wonderful to witness the publics’ response to the artwork, many people spend hours with the moon exploring its every detail, some visitors even lie down and Moon-bathe."
The installation is free to view on Saturday October 28 (10am to 1pm and 4.30pm to 7pm) and from Sunday October 29 until Tuesday October 31 from 10am to 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm.
:: More information at Derryhalloween.com and My-moon.org
