Gaia art installation by Luke Jerram at Stowe House

About

Step into the magnificent Marble Saloon of Stowe House and take in the spectacle of the universe. Designed to imitate the Pantheon of Rome, statues adorn the room, and light pours in from the majestic domed oculus to highlight a Roman triumphal procession carved into a frieze depicting 280 humans and 14 animals. It's the perfect space to display the three-dimensional, six-metre floating sculpture of Gaia by internationally acclaimed artist, Luke Jerram.

Visitors will be able to enjoy timed entry to the eighteenth-century historic house, allowing plenty of space to explore this multi-sensory experience and soak up the atmosphere – even being encouraged to lay on the floor to encounter Earth's surface as it would be viewed from space using detailed NASA imagery.

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 also acts as a mirror to major events in society, the artwork may provide the viewer with a new perspective of our place on the planet; a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another.

Alongside the main exhibition will be a supporting programme of events taking place in the shadow of the planet. From reconnecting with mother nature through Earth yoga to children's activities and workshops, this will be a fantastic opportunity to focus on our place in the wider universe.