Discover Luke Jerram’s new breathtaking art installation in Bristol
Posted on: 14 Aug 2020Palm Temple is designed for contemplating nature, and highlights how many species are lost every year.
In 2019, Luke Jerram was approached to create an artwork to celebrate the 600th anniversary of Brunelleschi’s dome of Florence Cathedral, to be displayed in London.
In response, he created the Palm Temple; a stunning art installation based on a spiralling lamella dome structure.
The work changes minute by minute with the shifting weather patterns and time of day, and at night, the artwork becomes internally illuminated.
Now Jerram has donated the artwork to the University of Bristol, where it will remain on permanent display outside the School of Chemistry's main entrance, on Cantock’s Close.
The installation is free for anyone to visit, and spectators can walk inside of it.
About the Palm Temple
Palm Temple's dome structure is cut in half with the two halves placed in parallel – like two palms coming together in prayer.
While Florence Cathedral is a temple for contemplating God, Jerram's artwork is designed for contemplating nature.
Suspended in the apex of the dome is an ‘Extinction Bell’. Tolling once 150 to 200 times a day at random, the bell indicates the number of species lost worldwide every 24 hours.
Palm Temple is made from cedar wood and references stained glass with its dichroic panelled windows. The floor is mirrored, which reflects the dome above.
The work was first displayed in London’s Lewis Cubitt Square in January and February of this year, and its creation was filmed by Sky Arts.
Watch the Palm Temple being installed at the University of Bristol:
About the artist, Luke Jerram
Luke Jerram is a Bristol-based, world-renowned artist.
His practice is multidisciplinary; boasting sculpture, installation and live arts projects. Jerram's previous work includes the Sky Orchestra and Museum of the Moon.
The Museum of the Moon has been displayed more than 150 times in 30 different countries, and in 2019, took to the water of the Floating Harbour.
Jerram is also behind 2014’s Park and Slide, which saw Park Street transformed into a water slide.
A year ago today the #moon landed on #Bristol harbour, and it was amazing ???? @lukejerram #MuseumoftheMoon pic.twitter.com/tODcaVara4
— Mark ???????? (@thehistoryb0y) July 25, 2020
On this day 6years ago in Bristol https://t.co/8NB0KKNDoE https://t.co/trYN2jdmRa May the 4th be with you....always pic.twitter.com/uve8TxcAtf
— Luke Jerram (@lukejerram) May 4, 2020
Speaking of the Palm Temple, Jerram said:
“Expressing my interest in sacred architecture, I hope the public enjoy exploring this new pavilion.
“Referencing the stained glass windows and bell towers of the Duomo in Florence, the Palm Temple is both an experimental optical pavilion and a contemplation space designed for the public to consider the impact humanity is having on nature.”
Find out more about Luke Jerram's work: www.lukejerram.com.
Photography credit: Bob Pitchford Photography
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