Prehistory and cutting-edge meet in dinosaur exhibition at Blenheim Palace
Connection between place, history and imagination sits at the heart of the works, says artist
Visitors to Blenheim Palace can encounter remarkable life-size sculptures inspired by dinosaurs in a new exhibition.
Called Dinosaurs Are Forever, the works have been created by artist, designer, author and former BBC presenter Jay Jay Burridge, and bring together contemporary art, palaeontology, engineering, creativity, and cutting-edge technology in a striking reimagining of Britain’s most significant prehistoric discoveries.
Five nine-metre-long sculptures have been placed within Blenheim Palace’s historic landscape. The sculptures are scientifically informed reconstructions of Megalosaurus - the first dinosaur ever to be scientifically named, in 1824.
Working with paleontologist Dr Matt Dempsey, Jay Jay Burridge referenced both the original fossils and close relatives to rebuild the skeleton of a Megalosaurus into a unique and movable structure. Specialist fabricators, whose expertise includes Formula 1 and aerospace engineering, helped transform the reconstructions into full-scale sculptures featuring precision engineered exoskeletons, custom designed joints and a lattice of tendons and arteries, binding the structure together with shock cord and adding tension and flexibility.
Each bone is hand-carved from a dense, ultra lightweight material, combining scientific accuracy with contemporary design.
Jay Jay Burridge said: "Dinosaurs Are Forever was born from considering what dinosaurs might become if shaped by the technologies of today.
"When I moved to Oxfordshire 17 years ago, I set up my workshop in Stonesfield. Only later did I discover that this was where the first dinosaur was unearthed. That connection between place, history and imagination sits at the heart of this work.”
In 1824, the scientific naming of Megalosaurus, meaning ‘great lizard’, changed how the world was understood. Fossils discovered by quarry workers in Stonesfield were studied by geologist and clergyman William Buckland, revealing evidence of an enormous prehistoric reptile unlike anything previously known. At the time, the word "dinosaur" did not exist. It would be another 18 years before Megalosaurus, alongside Iguanodon and Hylaeosaurus, was grouped into a new category of animals called Dinosaurs, meaning "terrible lizards”.
Heather Carter, visitor attraction managing director at Blenheim Palace, added: “Dinosaurs Are Forever is not one to be missed as it brings together history, art, and cutting-edge technology with Blenheim Palace as the stunning backdrop. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase Jay Jay’s artistry and celebrate the incredible full-size sculptures that come together to create an outdoor exhibition like no other we’ve ever had.”
The exhibition opened last month and runs until November 1. Visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/dinosaurs-are-forever.html for more information.