With over fifty colour photographs and two specially commissioned texts by Ken Arnold (Wellcome Collection) and Mark Ball (Manchester International Festival) the publication delves into the mind of an artist known for his imaginative ability to combine art, science and play, showing us that (in his own words) “anything is possible”. Luke Jerram: Art, Science & Play provides a fascinating insight into the evolving practice of international artist Luke Jerram. Find out more via his main website. In 2019 Luke Jerram was elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Living in the UK but working internationally for 20 years, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects.

From a distance, the Earth is just a pale blue dot.Ĭreated in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council ( NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. The artwork premiered at Bluedot Festival in July 2018. Hanging in the black emptiness of space the Earth seems isolated, a precious and fragile island of life. At this moment, our perception and understanding of our planet changed forever. Unlike the moon, which we have been gazing at for millennia, the first time humankind got to see the Earth in its entirety as a blue marble floating in space was in 1972 with NASA’s Apollo 17 mission. In 2019 at Liverpool Cathedral in just one month they saw 200,000 visitors. So far, wherever the artwork travels, it draws huge audiences. Depending on which country the artwork is presented in, and whether it is presented in a museum, science centre or parkland, the experience and interpretation of the artwork may alter. Over its lifetime, Gaia will be presented in a number of different ways both indoors and outdoors. By standing 211m away from the artwork, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon. 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. In Greek Mythology Gaia is the personification of the Earth. A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture. When presented indoors, the Earth artwork slowly revolves. After the lockdown, there has been a renewed respect for nature.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the artwork may provide 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. The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. Watch this great film about the phenomenon. 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 installation aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Measuring seven metres in diameter and created from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface* the artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet, floating in three dimensions.

Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Space art view from a planet surface