Visitors to Southwark Cathedral will be able to see the earth as if they are orbiting in space, in a new exhibition coming in October.
Gaia, a seven-metre wide sculpture showing detailed images of the Earth’s surface put together by NASA, will come to the cathedral from October 11-30 this year. Visitors to the free exhibition will be able to see the planet floating in three-dimensions.
Adding to the atmosphere, a specially-made surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones will be played alongside the sculpture.
Artist Luke Jerram said his sculpture, which is currently touring in the UK, Europe and the US, aims to recreate the experience astronauts have when looking down at the earth from space. The ‘overview effect’ often gives astronauts a feeling of awe and a desire to help protect the Earth’s environment.
He said: “I hope visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. An ecosystem we urgently need to look after – our only home.
“Halfway through the Earth’s six[th] mass extinction, we urgently need to wake up, and change our behaviour. We need to quickly make the changes necessary, to prevent run away climate change.”
The exhibition will be free in the day, but not in the evening. Tickets have to be booked in advance. The cathedral has not yet set opening times, so check the website and social media for updates.