See Luke Jerram’s huge floating earth in Southwark Cathedral

For a few weeks, Southwark Cathedral will have a huge floating planet Earth filling the nave as Luke Jerram’s Gaia takes up residence.

(c) Southwark 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 allows visitors to see our planet floating in three dimensions.

That simple explanation is, however, to belittle what an exceptional experience this display is. A room with a giant balloon shouldn’t be that exciting, but it really does pack a punch.

One of the more curious aspects is that photos can’t render the earth as it is – as a globe. They all look eerily flat — highly detailed, beautiful indeed, but so flat that the moon looks like a cut-out glued on top of a photo. Even in the physical presence, as you wander around, there’s the nagging doubt that it’s not a giant balloon but some clever optical illusion always presenting a flat circle to the viewer.

Gaia will be on display in Southwark Cathedral from October 17th to 2nd November 2024.

Tickets to visit during the daytime cost £5 and are available here

Tickets to visit at night cost £7 and are available here

There are also two relaxed viewing mornings – details here

Booking is recommended, although a limited number of tickets will be available on the door. Gaia is not open on Sundays, as the Cathedral is open for prayer only.

They will be operating timeslots for this event, you can arrive at any point during your timeslot. Early admittance is not permitted but they will do our best to accommodate latecomers where possible. Note that if you book a 4.30pm-5pm slot, the Cathedral closes at 5pm and last admission will be 4.50pm.

Southwark Cathedral is a few minutes walk from London Bridge station.