The Earth (Gaia) is coming to Warrington!
Luke Jerram’s floating three-dimensional artwork, Gaia, will be in the Parr Hall between 6 and 10 March. An imposing 7m in diameter, Gaia accurately depicts the Earth’s surface as it would be viewed from space using detailed NASA imagery.
Culture Warrington is again collaborating with world renowned artist Luke Jerram after he brought his hugely popular ‘Museum of the Moon’ – which has been seen by more than three million people in 25 countries – to Parr Hall in October 2019.
But unlike the Moon, which we have been gazing at for millennia, the first time humankind got to see Earth as a blue marble floating in space was in 1968 with NASA’s Apollo 8 mission.
For this project, Luke was commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council, the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres and Jodrell Bank’s Bluedot festival to communicate a sense of the fragility of our planet – and how urgently we need to protect it. The thought-provoking installation will be made even more atmospheric thanks to a surround sound composition created by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
The sculpture got its name from Greek mythology in which Gaia is the personification of the Earth. Visitors will know what it is like for astronauts when they gaze at the planet with a new and profound understanding of the interconnection of all life.
It is hoped it will give people a renewed sense of purpose in taking care of the environment, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which has reminded us that we all have a responsibility toward one another!
Our very own Warrington BID Manager, Amy Dawber, said: “We are delighted to be involved with Gaia coming to Warrington this spring. It ties in perfect with the environmental theme and events, which will be happening across Warrington town centre over the upcoming months.”