What's On, Cardiff at Home, Exhibitions
Gaia by Luke Jerram
Published on
When: 29 September 2026 – 31 December 2026
Where: Techniquest, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
Tickets: Included in admission
Wales' first permanent installation of Luke Jerram's six-metre Earth artwork, Gaia — included in Techniquest admission.
As part of our 40th celebrations, we’re proud to present Wales’ first permanent installation of Luke Jerram’s large scale artwork, Gaia.
Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet on this scale, floating in three-dimensions.
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.
The artwork is 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture describing 21km of the Earth’s surface.
The accompanying soundtrack — a specially made 30-minute composition by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones — is available to listen to by scanning a QR code placed around the installation. Don’t forget your headphones!
Gaia floats in place above our main exhibition area, free for anyone with a general admission ticket to experience, alongside information about Luke Jerram’s work and topics relating to our Earth.