Gaia by Luke Jerram
From 5th March- 29th May 2022, visitors were able to explore our planet like never before. The awe-inspiring art installation, called Gaia, is by the same artist who brought the moon to The Collection in 2019, Luke Jerram. Measuring six metres in diameter, the internally-lit sphere is 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth. It has been recreated from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface and each centimetre of the sculpture represents 21km of our planet. A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones was played alongside the sculpture. In Greek Mythology 'Gaia' is the personification of the Earth. 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 also acts as a mirror to major events in society. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, providing the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet; a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another. After the lockdown, there has been a renewed respect for nature. Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. 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.