GAIA FAQs
The Gaia Earth artwork was made to communicate a sense of the fragility of our planet. Halfway through the Earth’s six mass extinction, we urgently need to wake up, and change our behaviour. Society needs to quickly make the changes necessary to prevent run away Climate Change.
The artwork was also made as a sister sculpture, to compare with my Museum of the Moon artwork, which to date has been seen by over 9 million people in more than 25 countries worldwide. For our entire human existence we have been gazing up at the moon and projecting all our hopes, dreams and wishes up there. Whereas for the Earth, it was only in 1968 through NASA’s Earthrise photo, that humanity was able to see our planet for
I enjoy presenting artwork in public spaces, as I know the audience will be broad and diverse and the exhibition will be open to everyone.
I like the fact that whether Gaia is presented in an art museum, science centre, park, busy street or cathedral, the experience and interpretation of the artwork will change.
Gaia also acts as a venue, with local hosts creating their own programme of events to take place beneath the artwork. These might include: space or environmentally themed science events; music or performance arts events etc.
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 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. There really is no Planet B!
The artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. In light of the 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. After the lockdown, there has been a renewed respect for nature.
Gaia is an installation artwork that combines the architecture of the space, the sculpture of the Earth and a surround sound composition. Each venue and host has the opportunity to curate their own Earth and environmentally themed events.
Like many of my other artworks such as Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I’m Yours and Withdrawn, this work provides opportunities for collaboration and the creative input of others. I enjoy the unexpected outcomes of an artwork, when I leave space for others to be creative.
The surround sound music connects the sculpture with the space and architecture around it. The sound fills a room and creates an atmosphere and ambience, shaping and guiding interpretation of the sculpture.
I’ve worked with Dan over 10 years on various projects and he’s always a pleasure to collaborate with.
More information about the artwork can be found at: