Gaia – Monday 7 July

Measuring six meters in diameter and featuring high-resolution NASA imagery, this breathtaking sculpture offers a rare opportunity to view our planet in three dimensions. The artwork is 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimeter of the internally lit sculpture describing 21km of the Earth’s real surface.

Gaia evokes the Overview Effect, first described by author Frank White in 1987 this awe-inspiring shift in perspective is often described by astronauts when viewing Earth from space. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a felling 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.

Gaia was created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. With supporting partners Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.

A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.

You may arrive at anytime during the hour slot but the session will end an hour after the start time.

Please note that the 10am-11am slot is a quiet slot, designed for a calming, sensory-friendly experience. The accompanying soundtrack will be played at a reduced volume to allow you to move through the space at your own pace with minimal noise.

Gaia has been made possible with the support of North Yorkshire Council.

Photo credits: Gareth Jones & Phil Longfoot