Salisbury Cathedral Sarum Lights installation to open

7 November 2023

Image of the Sarum Lights exhibition at Salisbury Cathedral. The building has blue and yellow patterns projected onto it. — Image caption,
The Sarum Lights exhibit opens at 17:30 GMT on Tuesday

By Chloe Harcombe and Emma Colman

BBC News

A light and sound installation at a cathedral will open to the public later.

Sarum Lights at Salisbury Cathedral was created by art company, Luxmuralis.

It explores art, photography and societal changes across the centuries.

Peter Walker, from Luxmuralis, said: "Visitors can choose how they want to experience the exhibition, either basking in glorious images and sound or digging a little deeper and contemplating the big ideas that emerged after the Renaissance.

"All the paintings we know and love will be there, but there will also be areas that investigate what was happening when those pictures were created."

Projection of a woman with a green dress onto a wall

Different artwork is projected throughout the building

The installation begins outside the cathedral and there are displays in the Cloisters, Trinity Chapel and North Nave Aisle.

The exhibition reflects four centuries of history and explores the concepts of moral philosophy, natural science, the first English Dictionary, the American War of Independence, slavery and women's emancipation.

In the North Transept's interactive display, visitors can add to an installation devoted to Impressionism and Post Impressionism.

The show finale in the Nave of the cathedral showcases Pre-Raphaelite artists and Impressionists.

Image of the Sarum Lights exhibition at Salisbury Cathedral. The building has red lights projected onto it.

The exhibit begins outside the cathedral

Canon treasurer and chair of Salisbury Cathedral's arts advisory panel, Kenneth Padley, said: "Cathedrals have always used art, light and sound to explore their ideas and values, so projections like this work really well in here, and the space itself adds another layer to the experience.

"The timing is particularly poignant too, with this show exploring significant ideas and movements as we move into Advent, the period in which we prepare for the coming of God's light at Christmas."

Sarum Lights is on display until Saturday.