SUN IS A TOURING LIGHT ARTWORK, A 7M FLOATING REPRESENTATION OF OUR CLOSEST STAR. IT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN BRITISH ARTIST ALEX RINSLER AND LEADING SOLAR PHYSICIST PROF. ROBERT WALSH.

We present data from NASA's Solar Dynamic Observatory in 360° with smoke effects to mimic the sun’s outer atmosphere - 10 weeks of the Sun’s life in 12.5 minutes, cycling through ranges of temperature from 4,500 to 10 million degrees. An original soundscape from Ebe Oke featuring the voice of counter-tenor Feargal Mostyn-Williams completes the ethereal atmosphere.

SUN premiered in 2019 with support from Arts Council England and the Science & Technologies Facilities Council.

Photograph of SUN with a group of people below
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SUN WILL BE TOURING SEE WHERE

Photograph of SUN showing in a red phase with people below

‘Seeing The SUN for the first time, a giant ball of fire in the sky, took my breath away. I was, quite literally, stopped in my tracks. The piece is awe-inspiring and not just in its scale, but in its sense of joy and its relevance and meaning. The fact that this is inspired by, and made with, scientists, it does so much more than create a spectacle. The SUN warmed me, it made me smile, it tempted me to linger and stare, and wonder at the trueness of the piece, and to ponder on our place in the universe and what it means to be human.’

Julie Brown, Artistic Director, Light Up Lancaster