bruce munro: 'light shower' at salisbury cathedral

‘light shower’ by bruce munro installed within the salisbury cathedral all photos by mark pickthall

‘light shower’ is UK-based artist bruce munro‘s most recent sculptural work, located within the highest point of the salisbury cathedral.

the installation consists of 2, 000 shimmering points of light / teardrop diffusers, each set at the end of a fiber optic thread, all cascading downwards from the cathedral’s spire crossing. the volume of the piece measures 10m x 10m x 7m, taking over an area which is comparable to the size of a modest house. within the cathedral, which dates back to 1258 and that is 134.7m long and 123m in height at its highest point, ‘light shower’ hovers like a cloud of luminescence.

worm’s eye view

‘within minutes of walking into the magnificent nave of the cathedral I knew what I wanted to create. I firmly believe that a building gives all the clues to what will work best. I hope that what I create will capture the spiritual essence that pervades the space.’ – bruce munro

long view

munro chose the area within the cathedral where the transepts intersect the nave for several reasons: there are excellent structural opportunities to suspend an invisible wire; the central space is midway between congregation and clergy can act as a unifying link to other features of the building; munro hopes that the installation will act as a conduit and encourage both visitors and worshipers to see the building in a ‘new light’ and appreciate the building’s vast spaces.

‘light shower’ will officially be turned on november 29th, 2010 and will remain lit until january 2011.