'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023

A thought provoking memorial to the Covid19 pandemic sits in the gardens of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. There are four statues standing expressing emotions of despair, tiredness and exhaustion. These bronze cast life sized figures are based on the real life experiences of three health care workers. The work is called “Your next breadth” and you have to pass by it as you enter into the Royal College.

'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023
The four figures.

I was there for a conference and had the opportunity to visit the artwork. I was inspired to take many pictures at different angles of which my personal selection is shown in this blog. The artist and sculptor, Kenny Hunter, designed this work and I found more examples of his work on Instagram. These four figures are set out in a diamond with three looking forward and the fourth looking into the circle with arms outstretched. They radiate a powerful message about working at the frontline during Covid19 and are a fitting tribute to all the health workers that were involved in the care of patients.

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Like any emotive pieces of artwork, the photography is a challenge as you look to take a picture that is different from all the publicity pictures that have been taken. I felt privileged to be able to take the pictures that are in the blog. As readers will know, I have seen many tributes and several of them have been featured in my blog. The photography of this memorial adds to my increasing story of the pandemic and how people are remembering what happened. These tributes will allow people to find closure after a turbulent time in the history of mankind.

'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023
Even during the night.

This is one of several art installations that have occurred since the pandemic. I have provided links to these for your further reading.

04 Musuem of the Moon_res (2)

I love Luke Jerram’s work and have been fortunate to meet the artist as well. His work is often on a grand scale and aims to provoke discussion. I have covered his art work before and his work In Memoriam covered death and reflecting on its consequences. Luke has also created Gaia, which is a large scale replica of the earth. This was recently housed at Millennium Point, Birmingham. Having seen Gaia, I was excited to learn that “Museum of the Moon” was visiting Lichfield Cathedral for the month of October 2022.

Museum of the Moon, Lichfield Cathedral, October 2022
An idea of the size of the moon. This picture featured on BBC Midlands Instagram account.
Museum of the Moon, Lichfield Cathedral, October 2022
Lying on the floor looking up.

Lichfield Cathedral is set in a picturesque courtyard and the front facade has many statues making up the West door. Once inside, the Nave of the Cathedral is dominated by the moon. The white globe contrasts with the brown masonary of the pillars and is enhanced by the associated lighting, both artificial and natural. The Moon is seven metres in diameter and is made up of 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The globe does not rotate but there is an imperceptible movement caused by the flow of air through the cathedral. The detail of the moon is possible from the high resolution pictures and 1 centimetre represents 5km of the moon’s surface. The internal illumination provides the white glow one normally associates with the moon.

Museum of the Moon, Lichfield Cathedral, October 2022
The surreal view of the moon in the Cathedral.
Museum of the Moon, Lichfield Cathedral, October 2022
The surface detail of the Moon

I used my iPhone13 exclusively for the pictures and one of my photographs was featured on the BBC Midlands Instagram account. Whilst in the Cathedral, we also took the opportunity of exploring the interior and it is a beautiful place to visit.

Museum of the Moon, Lichfield Cathedral, October 2022
The front facade of Lichfield Cathedral.