PLANET earth has landed in Warrington with Luke Jerram’s spectacular floating sculpture now on show at the town’s Parr Hall.
Gaia, which accurately depicts the Earth’s surface as it would be viewed from space using detailed NASA imagery, can now be viewed by the public – as well as schools and community groups – for free.
A ticketed event today proved hugely popular alongside the Independent Street Market outside in Palmyra Gardens.
Gaia, which is an imposing 7m in diameter, follows in the giant leaps of Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon which also came to Parr Hall back in October 2019 for Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival.
And it is just as atmospheric thanks to a surround sound composition created by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Leah Biddle, Cultural Manager at Culture Warrington, said: “Presenting Gaia in Parr Hall means that we can welcome even more people to see this beautiful installation as well as host a small programme underneath that will cater for all ages.”
Gaia was free to view for the launch day today, Sunday, 6 March, to control numbers.
Now there will also be a number of events taking place in the shadow of the ‘planet’ over the five days.
Kicking it all off will be Stronger Together – an Arts Council supported and environmentally-themed contemporary dance production choreographed by Stacey Atkinson.
A cohort of 38 professional and community dancers and undergraduate dance students from Salford University performed beneath Gaia on Sunday evening.
They performed to a new piece of music specially commissioned for the event by Gary Lloyd.
Stacey, who has been supported by facilitators Bettina Carpi, Maria Mortimor, Dina Robinson and Elisa McCauley as well as costume designer Enya Koster, added: “This is such an exciting and unique opportunity. To be choreographing a dance piece to be performed under the internationally renowned installation, Gaia, feels so incredibly important at such a crucial time for our planet.
For other events out of this world, how about some cosmic yoga? The Yoga Space will be hosting a one-hour workshop themed around the Earth at 6pm on Tuesday, 8 March.
Then on Thursday, 10 March, Cameron Brown will lead a drawing workshop under Gaia at 7.30pm.
The event will bring back memories for the Warrington artist as he won Art Battle Manchester under Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon in the same venue at the Contemporary Arts Festival 2019.
The floating artwork got its name from Greek mythology in which Gaia is the personification of the Earth.
Visitors will know what it is like for astronauts when they gaze at the planet with a new and profound understanding of the interconnection of all life.
It is hoped it will give people a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic which has reminded us that we have a responsibility toward one another.
Members of the public will also be able to view the sculpture throughout the week for free, although donations for charity are welcome.
Creator Luke Jerrom
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