Contemplate the Earth at Lichfield Cathedral

This Autumn sees Lichfield Cathedral celebrate our Earth in a series of exhibitions, artwork and events for the whole community, all underneath the beautiful artwork Gaia by Luke Jerram.

Luke Jerram’s 7 meter-wide artwork, Gaia, will be suspended in the Nave of Lichfield Cathedral from 22 September until 5 November. The artwork uses NASA imagery to recreate a rotating Earth, allowing visitors to contemplate our fragile blue planet from a different perspective, usually reserved for astronauts.

Part of Luke’s vision for Gaia is that people will understand the fragility of our planet and will be inspired to protect it for future generations. Lichfield Cathedral have taken this theme and created an exhibition called Journey Through Creation, that will run alongside Gaia’s installation.

The exhibition will take visitors through the account of creation in the Bible using mini-installations around the Cathedral, to celebrate the wonders of our planet. Installations will include artwork from children who have taken part in the children’s activities over the summer. There will be an aquarium, a garden space, floating clouds and much more to explore.

Visitors can enjoy both Gaia and Journey Through Creation during a usual day time visit, Monday-Saturday 10:00-17:00 and Sunday 12:00-17:00.

Special evening events run over each weekend of the installation (Friday-Sunday 19:00-21:00) and during all of half term (Monday 30 October – Sunday 5 November 19:00-21:00). During these events ticket holders can explore both installations when the Cathedral would usually be closed. Internally lit, Gaia comes into it own during the evening when the Cathedral lights will be low and there is a more profound sense of what it might be like to see Earth from space.

The Right Revd Jan McFarlane, Interim Dean of Lichfield extends an invitation to all: “This summer we have all been made aware of the reality of global warming. Luke Jerram’s breath-taking installation in the setting of our beautiful Cathedral will, we hope, stir everyone who visits to do all that we can to save our fragile planet. The artwork created by visiting children will remind us of our responsibilities towards the next generation. Come and be prepared to be uplifted and inspired.”

More information and tickets are available on Lichfield Cathedral’s website: www.lichfield-cathedral.org/gaia

Image: Gaia at Liverpool Cathedral. Credit: Gareth Jones