A spectacular giant globe artwork by artist Luke Jerram is coming to Harrogate this summer as part of HACS Harrogate Music Festival.
Harrogate International Festivals has announced that Gaia, an acclaimed touring artwork, will be displayed inside St Wilfrid’s Church in Harrogate from July 4th-12th with the support of North Yorkshire Council.
The 3D illuminated artwork, which measures six metres in diameter and was created using Nasa imagery of the Earth’s surface, replicates what it is like seeing our planet from space.
Gaia features a specially created composition by Bafta award-winning composer Dan Jones that will be played alongside the slowly revolving sculpture in St Wilfrid’s Church.
The installation creates a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987 and relates to the feelings of awe experienced by astronauts when seeing the planet from space.
Gaia is coming to Harrogate. (Credit: GDIF & Southall)
HACS Harrogate Music Festival also brings six special ‘Gigs at Gaia’ to St Wilfrid’s featuring everything from intimate solo recitals to internationally acclaimed ensembles and incredible orchestral performances.
In Greek mythology Gaia is the personification of the Earth, and the artist hopes his artwork will give viewers a deeper understanding of its fragility.
Luke Jerram said:
“I wanted to make the artwork seem as authentic and realistic as possible to give the public the opportunity to see how our planet looks from space.
“For most people, this will be their most intimate, personal and closest encounter they will ever have with the whole of our planet.”
He added:
“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.”
Gaia has previously been displayed at iconic locations around the world, including the Natural History Museum in London and the Brisbane Festival in Australia.
It is the latest in a long line of high-profile public art installations brought to the North Yorkshire spa town by Harrogate International Festivals, including Harrogate’s recent light festival, BEAM (2024), Luminarium (2018) and Carabosse (2016).
Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to bring Luke Jerram’s awe-inspiring artwork to Harrogate. Luke is one of the country’s most talented and pioneering artists and Gaia is among the most astonishing installations I’ve ever seen.
“We passionately believe in the power of art and culture to bring people together and have a proven track record of delivering world-class spectacles in public spaces that do exactly that, at the same time as putting Harrogate firmly on the map as a thriving cultural hub.
“The arts can captivate and inspire as well as challenge our way of thinking, and I hope as many people as possible come to see Gaia in St Wilfrid’s and marvel at its brilliance.”
Gaia is open to the public for hourly sessions from 4 – 12 July. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults, £3 for students and £2 for children. Family tickets for two adults and two children are available for £10.
Quiet sessions, designed for a calming, sensory-friendly experience, will be open for an hour to visitors on Monday 7th July at 10am and Wednesday 9th July at 7pm.
For timings and to book, visit harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or call the Box Office on 01423 562 303.
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