World Famous Gaia artwork coming to Bath Abbey for Treasuring Creation Festival

Bath Abbey is hosting Luke Jerram’s touring Gaia artwork from 18 September to 29 October 2023, as part of the Treasuring Creation Festival.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and provides the opportunity to see our planet floating in three-dimensions. The Treasuring Creation Festival will focus on appreciating and caring for our planet.

Gaia will be suspended underneath the tower in the centre of the Abbey, providing an awe-inspiring view as people enter the building. The artwork was previously on display at Wells Cathedral.

Gaia 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.

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

Bath Abbey previously hosted Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon during November and December 2021, which proved to be very popular, with visitors coming from around the world to view the artwork.

The Treasuring Creation Festival brings together a full and varied programme of events for the duration of Gaia’s installation. Events include: Tours; Concerts; an Art Exhibition; Teaching Series; Schools Programme; ‘Playful Planet’ Family Days & Activities Trail and Eco-crafting; Early Years sessions; Movement & Meditation Workshops. There will also be a screening of the film Race for the Future by local film director James Levelle, who will be presenting the screening and taking questions afterwards.

More details and ticket information is available on Bath Abbey’s website. 

Revd Stephen Girling, Abbey Missioner and Chair of Bath Abbey's Eco Group says: “Gaia represents this wonderful earth which Christians believe is a gift of God who calls us to be good stewards in co-operation with him and one another. In the breathtaking setting of the Abbey, the Treasuring Creation Festival will provide many and varied opportunities for celebration and for learning how we can better work together.”