Medieval meets Modern as Moon Landing arrives at Canterbury

A luminous lightwork will tell the story of the Magna Carta and the North in Durham,  a modern art installation inspired by the unknown story of the women behind the 1969 Moon Landing comes to Canterbury, there’s a brick by brick festival at Derby to promote creativity and community, a light organ at Blackburn, and Shakespeare’s letter that shed new light on his relationship with his wife goes on display in Hereford Cathedral – just some of the events planned this summer in our cathedrals.

#WishYouWereHere – Summer in our Cathedrals – what will you discover?

All our cathedrals have exciting programmes for everyone throughout this summer – from headline exhibitions to family days and arts and crafts – and all are underpinned by the daily rhythm of prayer and worship.

Some of our cathedrals charge entry and there may be a fee at others for specific events, but all our cathedrals are free to enter for prayer, worship or to light a candle.

Do check on the cathedral’s individual website for up-to-date information before you travel.

And don’t forget to share your pictures and tag us #WishYouWereHere – our summer campaign this year.

This summer, the medieval splendour of Canterbury Cathedral will complement a new modern art installation inspired by the little-known story of the women who wove the integrated computer circuits and memory cores which enabled the 1969 moon landing.

Moon Landing arrives at Canterbury

The installation moon landing – a duo work created by British textile artist and designer of woven textiles, Margo Selby, and award-winning composer, Helen Caddick – comprises a vibrant 16-metre hand-woven textile suspended from the ceiling near the Cathedral’s Trinity Chapel,.

It was created in response to the moon landing score, an original musical piece scored for strings and is a celebration of the mathematical and technical possibilities of weaving and the crossovers of pattern, tone and rhythm found in both music and woven textiles.

Margo translates Helen’s music into textile art. The stripes within the textile reflect the rhythm of the music. The abstract blocks of hand-woven thread that make up the composition move in a stepping motion, reflecting the way musical notes shift between the staves on a sheet of music.

With both artists in dialogue across the creative process, Helen’s evocative score echoes the strings of a loom and the binary code used in weaving, reflecting the involvement of Navaho women in the creation of the circuits and the Huguenot weavers who brought their craft to London in the 17th century, a heritage craft that Margo upholds.

A Living Colour Chart

Visitors will also be invited to contribute to a Living Colour Chart by submitting a colour which has a strong emotional meaning for them and telling the story behind it.

This could be the red of a favourite T-shirt, the blue of the sea from a treasured holiday, or a hue that reminds them of a special person, place or event. As more and more people submit their colours and stories, the Living Colour Chart will grow and evolve, creating a unique snapshot that reflects the people who come to Canterbury Cathedral. It’s hoped that, eventually, this community project can be extended to include all of the UK’s cathedrals and create a national Living Colour Chart.

Moon Landing will open on Monday 9 June and remain in Canterbury Cathedral until 31 August 2025 and is supported by a grant from The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral and is free to view with appropriate admission fee.