Blackburn Cathedral – Gaia

Blackburn Cathedral has announced the return of artist Luke Jerram to the cathedral following the success of his Museum of the Moon last year which attracted over 40,000 visitors.

Luke Jerram’s ‘Gaia’ will be suspended in the nave from 6th October until 16th November 2025.

The artwork is 23ft (7m) in diameter and is 1.8 million times smaller than Earth.

Using NASA imagery, it is an exact scale replica of the planet with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture depicting 18km of the Earth’s surface.

Gazing up at the Earth, suspended in the spectacular Nave of Blackburn Cathedral, visitors will be able to contemplate and celebrate their place in the universe.

Ahead of the installation, a spokesperson for the cathedral said,

“Many visitors gazing upon Gaia describe a deep feeling of awe and wonder, a profound understanding of the interconnection of life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for caring for our environment.”

The artistic fusion of imagery and light is accompanied by a surround sound musical composition created by BAFTA and Ivor Novello award-winning composer, Dan Jones.

There are daytime and evening viewings of Gaia, accompanied by a diverse programme of events including live music, choral performances, talks and lectures, silent discos, classical concerts, a creation care conference as well as a gin and rum festival.

Gaia – Blackburn Cathedral opens 6 October until 17 November