Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’ heads to Blackburn Cathedral

The artwork is 23ft (7m) in diameter and is 1.8 million times smaller than Earth. Using NASA imagery, it is an exact scale replica of the planet with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture depicting 18km of the Earth’s surface.

Gazing up at the Earth, suspended in the spectacular Nave of Blackburn Cathedral, visitors will be able to contemplate and celebrate their place in the universe.

Indeed many describe a deep feeling of awe and wonder, a profound understanding of the interconnection of life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for caring for our environment.

Ahead of the installation, the Very Revd. Peter Howell-Jones, Dean of Blackburn said:

Following the success of Museum of the Moon in 2024 – where we welcomed 40,000 people to the Cathedral – we are delighted to unveil the latest in our series of high-profile art installations.

 

This stunning artwork, when combined with the awe-inspiring beauty of Blackburn Cathedral, will offer people a unique opportunity to get up close to our planet and we hope that it will be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

The artistic fusion of imagery and light is accompanied by a surround sound musical composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer, Dan Jones.

There are daytime and evening viewings of Gaia, accompanied by a diverse programme of events including live music, choral performances, yoga sessions, talks and lectures, silent discos, sound baths, classical concerts, a creation care conference as well as a gin and rum festival. There really will be something for everyone.

Further details and the full events calendar can be found at: blackburncathedral.com/gaia

About Gaia

Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface*.

The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions.

The installation creates a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

The artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture describing 18km of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211m away from the artwork, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon.

A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. In Greek Mythology Gaia is the personification of the Earth.

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe.

Jerram has a set of different narratives that make up his practice which are developing in parallel with one another. He is known worldwide for his large-scale public artworks.

Learn more at: my-earth.org

Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council, Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.

* The imagery for the artwork has been compiled from Visible Earth series, NASA.