A giant, immersive art installation called Helios has been suspended above Bristol's Jubilee Swimming Pool, offering a unique winter experience. Created by acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, the five-metre diameter sculpture weighs approximately 50 kilogrammes and is a stunning representation of the Sun.
Crafted from over 400,000 high-resolution photographs of the Sun’s surface and Nasa observational data, Helios will hang metres above the pool for three weeks, casting its radiant glow and reflections across the water. The installation is named after the ancient Greek mythological god personifying the Sun.
Jerram, known for accessible public art, expressed his enthusiasm: 'I like creating artwork that brings people together and there’s something nice about using a community space like this that’s accessible to everybody. For me that’s really important.' From Monday 19 January until Sunday 8 February, regular pool-goers and visitors can view the installation and even swim beneath it, with additional late-night sessions scheduled.
Julie Laming, chairwoman of trustees at Jubilee Pool, highlighted the significance: 'This is the first time Helios has been suspended over a swimming pool, let alone at a much-loved indoor pool approaching its 90th anniversary. We are thrilled and proud to be hosting such an exciting and unique event in Bristol.'
Beyond its artistic merit, Jerram hopes the installation will attract many visitors, potentially contributing to funding solar panels for Jubilee Pool’s roof and supporting its transition towards a greener future. He added: 'It’s also that opportunity in the middle of winter, when it’s so dark and cold outside, to come here and have a swim underneath the sun. A bit of sunbathing is probably what we will need this time of year.'
Following its Bristol debut, Helios is set to travel to Manchester, then Borneo in Southeast Asia, before returning to London and finally heading to the US later this year. This latest work adds to Jerram’s impressive portfolio, which recently celebrated 1,000 exhibitions in over 50 countries worldwide.
