Sherborne Town Council, in collaboration with Sherborne Abbey, is bringing Gaia to Sherborne for two weeks from 29 August to 12 September 2025.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram. It features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface* providing the opportunity to see our planet floating in three-dimensions. Gaia is an inclusive exhibition at Sherbourne Abbey to give all the opportunity to enter the abbey and engage with the artwork, in a serene and contemplative atmosphere.
The installation creates 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. As well as information panels about planet Earth past, present and future, there are games and an interactive quiz for children and adults alike plus a series of events run under the Gaia including tailored, interactive talks for primary school children as well as adults, from the UK Space Agency. Bestselling author Jonathan Drori will bring an evening of copiously illustrated and enjoyable botanical celebrations of Sherborne Abbey, whose links with the natural world are often overlooked.
There will also be two ticketed events, the first takes place on the opening night, Friday 29 August, and sees the Sherborne Literary Society in conversation with Booker Prize-winning author Samantha Harvey regarding her book Orbital. The book is set over 24 hours aboard the International Space Station with each of the sixteen chapters covering a single rotation around the Earth. The six astronauts aboard are there to do crucial work, however they slowly wonder at the Earth’s beauty from space.
The second ticketed event, 5 September, are two cinematic performances by internationally acclaimed OneOrchestra. OneOrchestra’s concert, Earth Music brings orchestral music into extraordinary spaces, merging sound and visual art for an immersive experience. Featuring reimagined music by composers such as Hans Zimmer, Max Richter and Coldplay, the 16-piece ensemble of strings, woodwind and piano reflect on themes of nature, universe and connection, made even more poignant by the presence of Jerram’s luminous Gaia installation.
For more information about Gaia, the events that are taking place over the two week exhibition and to buy tickets, visit the Sherborne Town Council website: www.sherborne-tc.gov.uk.
Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
*The imagery for the artwork has been compiled from Visible Earth series, NASA.
