Photo credit: Helios, © Luke Jerram, Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College
There is no better time to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of maritime Greenwich as until 25 March, the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College is the setting for Luke Jerram’s beautiful celestial installation Helios.
About
Co-commissioned by the National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College and University College London, Helios is a breathtaking seven-metre piece which, at a scale of 1:200 million, each centimetre represents 2000km of the Sun. Using photographs taken by Astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green and NASA’s observations of the sun, the piece promises details including sunspots, spicules, filaments and solar activity including the Northern Lights. The Old Royal Naval College explains: “The installation is a fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially created surround sound composition by acclaimed artists Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson. Together, the soundscape and sculpture take audiences on a sensory journey, igniting curiosity and awe about both our closest star and the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Painted Hall… 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.”
Artist Luke Jerram adds: “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.”
The Painted Hall of the Old Royal Naval College
What makes The Painted Hall such an apt setting for Helios is that it’s home to an extraordinary Baroque painted ceiling featuring the Classical Sun God. Painted by Sir James Thornhill in the eighteenth century, it depicts Apollo driving his chariot across the centre, illuminating the 200 royal and mythological creatures which populate the piece.
Wellbeing
Exhibited during the cold winter months, Helios brings the promise of brighter, warmer days. The Old Royal Naval College have devised a fabulous programme of wellbeing events which will run during the course of the exhibition.
Getting there
The Old Royal Naval College can be reached by taking the Jubilee line from Green Park to Canary Wharf, then the DLR from Heron Quays to Cutty Sark.
Also in the area
Royal Observatory
The Queen’s House
National Maritime Museum