British installation artist Luke Jerram is exhibiting his famous artwork “Gaia” at The MixC in Shenzhen Bay. Entry is free.
Jerram creates sculptures, large installations and live art projects. With many of his artworks in permanent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, he also tours with his art installations to festivals and museums worldwide.
Measuring seven meters in diameter, “Gaia” features detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on a massive scale. 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.
Visitors observe Luke Jerram’s “Gaia.”. Photo by Wang Haolan.
In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of the Earth. The artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than Earth’s actual size with each centimeter of the internally lit sculpture capturing 18 kilometers of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211 meters away from the artwork, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon.
The first time humankind got to see the Earth in its entirety as a blue marble floating in space was in 1972 with NASA’s Apollo 17 mission. Hanging in the black emptiness of space, the Earth seems isolated, a precious and fragile island of life.
Dates: Until Nov. 3
Venue: The MixC in Shenzhen Bay, Nanshan District (南山区深圳湾万象城)
Metro: Line 2 or 11 to Houhai Station (后海站), Exit G