Tuesday night (21 May) saw the Natural History Museum’s Venue Hire team launch the spectacular Museum of the Moon by artist, Luke Jerram, taking centre stage in the Museum’s Jerwood Gallery.
For the first time ever, event organisers will have the exciting opportunity to host both private and corporate functions beneath the impressive installation until 1 January.
The launch event saw a special selection of 100 guests gather under the moon to enjoy a stunning evening with entertainment from Sternberg Clarke, production by Bespoke Events, flowers by Mary Jane Vaughan, and Gusbourne for provided the English sparkling wine.
Providing the catering, Rhubarb presented a magnificent moonlight mushroom and truffle stall featuring black truffle bon bons, mushroom tea and truffle brioche and a cep and morel gnocchi. The moon’s reflection on a night-time lake inspired the silhouette dessert station.
The world-renowned art installation, measuring six metres in diameter, features detailed NASA imagery to perfectly recreate the moon’s surface. Since its launch in Bristol in 2016, Jerram’s moon has been enjoyed at festivals, sporting events and in public spaces by thousands of awe-struck visitors from across the globe. The artwork has been created in partnership with the UK Space Agency, University of Bristol and The Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
Jerram commented: “I’m very proud to be bringing Museum of the Moon to a space as iconic and prestigious as the Natural History Museum. The Museum places the natural world at the heart of its work, making it the perfect home for the Moon this summer and beyond.
“It will be the first time that the installation has featured in private parties and events, so I’m excited to see how the space will be adapted and utilised over the course of its time at the Museum.”
By day, the art installation will be on display to the public as part of the Museum’s temporary exhibits. After hours, attendees can hire the Gallery and enjoy the mesmerising artwork for their own private events, including summer and Christmas parties, weddings and networking receptions.
On arrival during the summer, guests can also enjoy a drinks reception in the green surroundings of the Darwin Centre courtyard, before moving through to the stunning nineteenth-century Waterhouse architecture of the Jerwood Gallery.
The unique space seats up to 300 for dinner or 350 for standing events and will be available from 18:00 – 00:00 for private hire (guests may extend the hire until 02:00 subject to availability and an additional fee).
The Natural History Museum’s extensive list of experienced suppliers will also be on hand to transform the space to bespoke specifications. Complementing the Moon through beautifully themed catering, floristry and production, the suppliers will create an extraordinary experience for all who attend.
Robert Wetherell, head of venue hire and catering at the Natural History Museum, added: “We are extremely proud of the Jerwood Gallery and the versatility it offers our clients. Luke Jerram’s impressive Museum of the Moon will be a very welcome addition to the space.”
“The Venue Hire team is looking forward to a season of exciting events and we are thrilled that this exclusive space will be part of our private hire offering.”
Author: Sam Hyland
Sam is the assistant content manager for Event Industry News (EIN). Sam is involved in publishing news stories, videos and podcasts. Sam also collates the latest stories for the EIN e-newsletter. If you have a press release or story you think we might be interested to know about please email editor@eventindustrynews.com
