A spectacular touring artwork of Planet Earth will visit Truro Cathedral in October. 

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Luke Jerram’s Gaia features 120dpi detailed imagery of the Earth’s surface courtesy of NASA’s Visible Earth series. 

The artwork provides the opportunity to see the planet floating in three dimensions. 

In Truro Cathedral, Gaia will be suspended above the cathedral crossing, enabling viewers to walk around and under the artwork, and even enjoy the rare opportunity to ascend into the roof space and view it from an aerial perspective.

The installation creates a sense of the overview effect, a common experience for astronauts including a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment. 

Gaia will be accompanied by a specially made surround-sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones. 

Visitors will be able to experience Gaia daily throughout its stay from October 6 to 28. Cathedral entry will remain free, with donations encouraged to enable it to continue to bring such events to the community of Cornwall. 

There will also be a range of ticketed events and activities including evening viewing sessions, music events, school visits and talks.  

Artist Luke Jerram is based in Bristol but has an international following for his sculptures, installations, live arts projects and large-scale public artworks.

“I hope visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space: an incredibly beautiful and precious place, and an ecosystem we urgently need to look after – our only home,” he said. 

“We urgently need to wake up and change our behaviour to prevent runaway climate change.”

Sean O’Neill, the cathedral’s chief operating officer, said: “The Gaia installation is the realisation of our aspiration to bring more exciting events to the community and engage new audiences with the cathedral.”