Exhibition

Mars in the Painted Hall

23 Nov 2024–20 Jan 2025
Tickets: £16.50
Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN

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See Luke Jerram’s astonishing installation Mars in the Painted Hall this winter. Following the sell-out success of Gaia and Museum of the Moon, Mars will continue Jerram’s out-of-this-world installations at the iconic Old Royal Naval College.

Measuring 7m in diameter, this spellbinding artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface recreated to scale. Slowly rotating against the spectacular backdrop of the Painted Hall, this unique pairing will bring two breathtaking works of art together, merging science with history, myth and allegory.

“Mars follows on from my other astronomical artworks Museum of the Moon and Gaia presented in the awe-inspiring Painted Hall and allows a close encounter with the Martian planet. I hope that visitors will feel transported to its inhospitable desert wasteland and in comparison, really value our life on Earth.” – Luke Jerram.

The installation is a fusion of Mars imagery, light and surround sound composition. Measuring 7m in diameter, this spellbinding artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the Martian surface – about one million times smaller than the actual planet.  The internally lit artwork transports us to this famed planet – the closest planet to Earth, which can often be seen in the night sky.  Mars will feature a surround sound composition by BAFTA-winning composer Dan Jones, including clips from NASA missions to Mars, totally immersing visitors in the experience. Over its lifetime, Mars will be presented in several different ways both indoors and outdoors, so altering the experience and interpretation of the artwork.

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Social Media Mondays

Every Monday | 10.15am – 11.15am

To better facilitate those looking for the perfect shot, the Social Media ticket has reduced capacity. Posing and selfies are encouraged! Use the hashtag #ORNCMars for a chance to be featured on our socials.

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Quiet Hour Fridays

Every Friday | 10.15am – 11.15am

This session is intended for those that want to appreciate the space in a more relaxed environment with a reduced number of visitors. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodiverse adults and children, and any other visitors with sensory needs who may prefer a more relaxed experience.

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Mars family trail

Family Trail

To make your visit even more fun, grab our family trail at the entrance at no extra cost. It’s full of fun facts, puzzles, and activities to help kids explore the Painted Hall and learn all about Mars.

Illustrated by Giulia Casarotto.

Plan your family visit

Mars retail

From tote bags to space-themed toys and books, make the most of your visit and take a piece of Mars back home.

Eyes on Mars: A Cultural and Scientific Exploration

Explore our fascination with the red planet with a one-off event featuring artist Luke Jerram and London’s leading Mars experts.

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