Gaia Daytime Visiting Monday - Saturday
10am - 5pm (Last admission 4.50pm)
View Luke Jerram's beautiful Gaia installation in London's oldest gothic Cathedral.
Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter and created from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface* the artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet, floating in three dimensions.
The installation aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are 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.
When presented indoors, the Earth artwork slowly revolves. A specially composed soundtrack by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.
The artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture representing 18km of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211m away from the artwork, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon.
*The imagery for the artwork has been compiled from Visible Earth series, NASA.
How to see Gaia at Southwark Cathedral
We recommend buying tickets in advance to guarantee entry for the day and time you wish to visit the Cathedral and Gaia. A limited number of tickets will be available on the door.
We will be operating a one way system throughout the Gaia residency. Entrance will be via the Cathedral Churchyard opposite Borough Market and exit will be via the Cathedral courtyard located on the north side opposite the River Thames.
It may be necessary to close Gaia early on some days so please keep an eye on our website for any changes to our opening times to avoid disappointment.
Gaia by Night and special events tickets must be booked separately with information available at the following link: https://bit.ly/3McH0fk
Important Information
- Entry to Gaia is Monday to Saturday only. Sundays are set aside for worship only which all are welcome to join. Please note that there is no photography allowed during services for safeguarding reasons.
- We will be operating timeslots for this event, you can arrive at any point during your timeslot. Early admittance is not permitted but we will do our best to accommodate latecomers where possible. Please note that if you book a 4.30pm-5pm slot, the Cathedral closes at 5pm and last admission will be 4.50pm.
- Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Those attending our morning and midday serviced (Monday-Saturday) will be met by a steward at the Cathedral courtyard entrance and escorted to the Harvard Chapel.
- Queues are likely for this event, we will do our best to admit everyone as close to their time slot as possible.
- Please note that there are limited toilet facilities at the Cathedral.
- If you wish to bring a school or uniformed group please email our Learning Centre at edcentre@southwark.anglican.org who will provide you with further information.
- During the Gaia residency 17 October - 2 November we will not be able to accommodate any group or tour bookings. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Gaia programme at Southwark Cathedral is raising funds to support the Cathedral's mission and ministry, to safeguard its heritage and to maintain and develop its outreach and education offering.