Bridgwater’s docks were the site of disappointment over the weekend after a giant replica of the moon partially deflated. The sculpture, called the Fallen Moon, was the debut water-based installation by artist Luke Jerram. It is based on data from NASA and is a scale model that is 350,000 times smaller than the real thing. Extreme weather conditions caused damage to the internally-lit display, which fully deflated on the weekend, according to Bridgwater Town Council. An investigation has been launched by the council, which apologised for any disappointment or inconvenience.
The Fallen Moon was installed ahead of a £5.2m regeneration initiative to improve the docks that have been unused since December 2021. The artwork was unveiled on 15 October, and in just a week, more than 10,000 visitors had seen the display, which was planned to finish on 3 November. Mr Jeremy James, the outreach and events manager for Bridgwater Town Deal, expressed frustration about the deflation and called it “a real shame”. He said the project was always technically difficult, and he was grateful to everyone who had come to see it. He remained uncertain about whether the display could be restored, adding that he would not be optimistic.
This was the second time the Fallen Moon had partially deflated, with the first incident occurring on 20 October, but it was subsequently restored. The BBC reports that it was technically challenging to install the sculpture in water and keep it inflated, making the project inherently difficult. The water-based display was a first for Jerram, who is known for his globe-based art, such as 2018’s Museum of the Moon installation that toured internationally. The Fallen Moon project was developed in partnership with Bridgwater Town Deal and creative agency, Halo, and supported by Arts Council England.
While it is unfortunate that the Fallen Moon deflated in strong winds, the display was an innovative way to promote improvement projects in the area. More than 10,000 people came to see the project in just a week, demonstrating the public’s interest in engaging with public art installations. Despite the damage, the Bridgwater Town Council and its partners should be commended for their efforts to revitalise the docks and bring attention to the area
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