23-foot Earth sculpture to hang inside Cathedral of St. John the Divine
“Gaia” at Tewkesbury Abbey, UK, 2024. Photo © Jack Boskett Media Ltd.
A massive, detailed sculpture of the Earth will hang inside Morningside Heights’ grand Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. Created by UK artist Luke Jerram, “Gaia” measures 23 feet in diameter and features NASA imagery of the planet’s surface as it slowly rotates in the cathedral’s nave, offering a three-dimensional view of Earth floating in space. Installed to mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the sculpture will be celebrated with a special opening reception on Friday, September 18, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On view through October 9, the touring artwork is meant to evoke a sense of the “Overview Effect,” a term first coined by author Frank White in 1987, according to Jerram’s website.
The phenomenon is described by astronauts as a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for protecting the environment.
As “Gaia” revolves, the awe-inspiring experience is complemented by a specially composed surround-sound score by BAFTA-winning composer Dan Jones.
Measuring 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth, each centimeter of the internally lit sculpture represents 18 kilometers of the planet’s surface. By standing 211 meters away, visitors can view Earth as it appears from the moon.
On his website, Jerram connects the planet’s beauty with the urgency of combating climate change.
“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,” Jerram said.
“Halfway through the Earth’s sixth mass extinction, we urgently need to wake up, and change our behavior,” he added. “We need to quickly make the changes necessary, to prevent run away climate change.”
“Gaia” also serves as a venue for a variety of programming during its world tour. At St. John the Divine, visitors can attend a “transcendent” yoga experience led by instructors from Harlem Yoga at 6 p.m. on September 22, September 29, and October 6. Tickets start at $10, and attendees must bring their own mats.
The installation is part of a broader slate of events hosted at the Cathedral this fall. Through September 27, and again from November 15 to 29, guests can enjoy free fall organ recitals on Sundays, with world-renowned performers playing the cathedral’s famed Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ.
On Monday, September 21, World Peace Day, the Cathedral will debut “Sound of Loss,” an audio exhibit by German director and multimedia artist Philip Gröning. The installation uses a simple clicking sound to reflect the statistic that at least 550 people are killed in active wars each day, bringing the scale of loss taking place around the world into focus.
In celebration of the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s passing, the Cathedral will host a reimagined St. Francis Day celebration featuring the Blessing of the Earth and pet blessings, inviting guests and their animal companions to celebrate creation. After the service, an afternoon fair and pet blessings will be held rain or shine on the Cathedral grounds.
“This year, the Cathedral is embracing new beginnings while staying true to time-honored traditions,” Laura Bosley, executive director of programming, said. “In addition to special services, poignant art exhibitions, and moving musical performances, we are thrilled to introduce our community to a reenvisioned St. Francis Day, timed with the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi.”
“The festivities promise to be a beautiful celebration of the Earth and creation, all taking place underneath the breathtaking Gaia sculpture,” she added.
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