Whether it’s making a one-off slip ‘n’ slide on Park Street, gifting the Uni a colourful stained-glass dome for “contemplating nature”, or celebrating Bristol’s 650th birthday with chocolate, Luke Jerram is always giving back to his hometown. This Autumn, the Bristol artist will treat us to his near-legendary, floating model of Earth, Gaia.
The impressive installation will land in Bristol Cathedral from Tuesday, October 15 to Saturday, November 9. Also illuminating us will be an exhibition and a four-week-long series of events – including a performance of Hayden’s Creation and the soundtrack from David Attenborough’s Blue Planet, as performed by Bristol Ensemble.
“After the success of Museum of the Moon at Bristol Cathedral in 2021, which attracted over 65,000 people, I’m delighted to bring my Gaia earth artwork to my home city,” Luke Jerram. “I can’t wait for visitors to the Cathedral to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious experience.
“The Cathedral is hosting a really exciting and inspirational programme of events that people can get involved with and I’ll also be announcing a new environmental artwork for the region in tandem with Gaia being installed.”
What is Luke Jerram’s Gaia?
Gaia was designed by Luke Jerram to recreate the Overview Effect. Common features of the phenomenon of astronauts seeing Earth for the first time – described by author Frank White in 1987 – are a feeling of awe, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life and a renewed sense of responsibility for the environment. The installation is 1.8 million times smaller than the Earth, with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture representing 18km of the Earth’s surface.
This is the first time the artwork has been installed in a place of worship in Bristol. Coinciding with Gaia’s stay, Bristol Cathedral is hosting four ‘Up Late’ musical performances. Ranging from ‘Jazz’, ‘Global Roots’ to ‘Electronica’, alongside a themed pop-up bar, audiences will be welcomed between 6pm and 9pm, to enjoy both the Cathedral and Gaia in darkness, alongside immersive live music.
Throughout the four-week programme, Bristol Cathedral will also host Crafty Cathedral, craft sessions for children, including tackling your own eco-project, creating felt globes and making bird feeders. Plus, on Thursday, October 24, there will also be a one-off Blue Planet concert as Gaia rotates. Bristol Ensemble will return with The Fitzhardinge Society on November 2 to perform Haydn’s cherished classic ‘The Creation’.
“Gaia is more than just an installation; it’s an invitation to reflect on our place in the world,” said The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol. “We are thrilled to offer these supporting events, which provide opportunities for the community to engage with Gaia and explore the themes of environmental stewardship and interconnectedness.”
Line up for Gaia: Our Home Planet events:
Tuesday, October 15: Lunchtime Music Recital, 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday, October 16: Gaia Lunchtime Talk: Affordability & Sustainability, 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Friday, October 18: Up Late: Jazz, 6.00pm – 9.30pm
Saturday, October 19: Create Your Own Hanging Garden with We The Curious, 10am – 12pm & 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday, October 22: Preludes Lunchtime Music Recital, 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday, October 23: Gaia Lunchtime Talk: Climate Impact – 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday, October 23: Panel Discussion: Sustainable Safe Stable – 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Thursday, October 24: Blue Planet Concert – 7.30pm-9.30pm
Friday, October 25: Up Late: Global Roots – 6.00pm – 9.30pm
Monday, October 28: Crafty Cathedral, 10.00am – 12.00pm & 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday, October 29: Crafty Cathedral, 10.00am – 12.00pm & 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Wednesday, October 30: Lunchtime Talks: The Beauty of Nature – 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Thursday, October 31: Crafty Cathedral, 10.00am-12.00pm & 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Friday, November 1: Up Late: Folk – 6.00pm – 9.30pm
Saturday, November 2: Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ – 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Tuesday, November 5: Lunchtime Music Recital, 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday, November 6: Gaia Lunchtime Talk: Contextualising the Global – 1.15pm – 2.00pm
Wednesday, November 6: Sustainable Fashion Week – Fashion on Earth, 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Friday, November 8: Up Late: Electronica, 6.00pm – 9:30pm
Tickets for Gaia: Our Home Planet’s series of events can be purchased online here, but there is no charge to visit Bristol Cathedral and view Gaia during day time visiting hours.