Aucklanders are guaranteed a little extra sunshine this summer, as Auckland Live presents Helios - a breathtaking, larger-than-life artwork created by renowned UK artist Luke Jerram. Arriving in New Zealand for the first time, Helios is both a scientific wonder and a multi-sensory artwork, offering a rare opportunity to visualise the beauty and complexity of our closest star.
The first chance to catch a glimpse of Helios in Aotearoa will be at the opening night of the brand-new New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) on Thursday 12 February.
Following the showing at the NZICC, Helios will move to its week-long home in the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall from Saturday 7 March until Sunday 15 March. Helios will be presented in association with the Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
Measuring six metres in diameter and created at a scale of 1:230 million (each centimetre represents 2300km of the sun’s surface), Helios is constructed from approximately 400,000 images of the Sun’s surface. These images combine photography by astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green with data from NASA solar observations. Internally lit, this spherical installation allows for a safe yet awe-inspiring examination of the Sun’s extraordinarily detailed surface, revealing features such as sunspots, spicules and filaments.
Named after the ancient Greek sun god – symbolic of time and life, Helios blends real solar imagery with animated lighting accompanied with an immersive surround-sound composition by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, resulting in a powerful and unforgettable experience. Exhibition creator Luke Jerram has also produced several other astronomical artworks, including Museum of the Moon, Gaia and Mars.