Mars: War and Peace is coming to Truro Cathedral

Truro Cathedral will welcome Luke Jerram’s spectacular touring artwork, Mars: War and Peace, in October 2025. This follows on from his other astronomical artworks, Museum of the Moon and Gaia, which have both been exhibited in the cathedral.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1 million, each centimetre of the internally-lit spherical sculpture represents 10km on Mars.

The artwork allows the visitor to view Mars from the air, as if satellite mapping and studying the surface in perfect detail. Every valley, crater, volcano and mountain is laid bare for inspection. Transport to this desert wasteland and imagine what it’s like to step foot on this incredible planet and in comparison, value life on Earth.

Mars was named by the ancient Romans as their god of war, as its reddish colour was reminiscent of blood. This has influenced the accompanying composition by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer Dan Jones, which features the sounds of seas, deserts and clips from NASA missions to Mars, and hints at the sounds of war.

Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Luke Jerram has created several extraordinary art projects which have been visited by more than three million people around the world. “I hope visitors will feel transported to the inhospitable desert wasteland of Mars, while also reflecting on the realities of war for ordinary communities of people on our planet,” he said.

Truro Cathedral’s chief operating officer Sean O’Neill said: “From the moment we had Gaia here, I hoped we would be able to host Mars next. Its red/orange hues will bring the soft bathstone of the cathedral to life, especially during Mars by Night sessions.”

Visitors will be able to experience Mars daily from October 13 to November 2. Entry will remain free throughout the installation during the day, with donations encouraged to enable Truro Cathedral to continue to bring such events to Cornwall. There will also be a range of ticketed events and activities accompanying the installation for people to enjoy, including the opportunity to ascend into the roof space and view Mars from an aerial perspective.

Reverend Simon Robinson, Dean of Truro Cathedral, said: “I am proud that Cornwall’s great cathedral, a place of sacred space and common ground for us all, is hosting this evocative work, especially as we approach the season of Remembrance.

“This vast artwork provokes us to reflect on conflict, in our communities and on a worldwide scale. My hope is that as we gaze at this incredible piece, in silent contemplation, we may gain a wider view of our place in the universe and of the challenges that humanity faces. We can all be peace-seekers and peace-makers - we simply have to make a choice.”

Mars is co-commissioned by Kunsthal KAdE, Netherlands; UK Space Agency; Science and Technology Facilities Council UK, and UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, with supporting partner University of Bristol.