Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram’s brilliant Earth globe Gaia is currently hanging above the crossing in Bath Abbey. We enjoyed his suspended Moon last year.
The installation ties in nicely with the fact the church is hosting Extraordinary Earth Day on 30th September, an event focusing on making a positive impact on climate change.
Bath Abbey and partners, Transition Bath, BANES, CaféBANES and Bath and West Community Energy (BWCE), are running the open day to inspire visitors and families to make a difference and take action to live more sustainably.
Extraordinary Earth Day is part of the ‘Treasuring Creation’ Festival being held at Bath Abbey from 18th September to the 29th October, with Luke Jerram’s sculpture of planet Earth, Gaia, taking centre stage.
Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and provides the opportunity to see our planet floating in three-dimensions.
The Treasuring Creation Festival focuses on appreciating and caring for our planet. The large-scale model of planet Earth will be a poignant reminder during Extraordinary Earth Day of how special our planet is, and why it is worth saving.
Exhibits
During Extraordinary Earth Day, eco-charities and organisations will have the opportunity to share their work with visitors. Nineteen organisations are confirmed to be attending, including our partner organisations (above), Share and Repair, Greenpeace, Extinction Rebellion and more. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet volunteers sign up and become members of these organisations.
Art exhibitions and a film installation will also be on display throughout the day.
Talks & Climate Choir
A series of fifteen talks will be held throughout the day, allowing visitors to discover more about different aspects of the climate change issue:
· 10.30am Climate Challenges
· 11.30am Neighbourhood Eco-Groups
· 13.30pm Young People’s Voice
· 14.30pm Knowing Your Carbon Footprint
· 15.30pm The Conservation Challenge
At 12.30pm the Bath Climate Choir will be performing.
Playful Planet Family Activities
Playful Planet family activities will be running throughout the day, including ‘Make your own seedbombs’ in the Learning Room.
Extraordinary Earth Day is free with admission for visitors, and free for BA1, BA2 residents and Discovery Card holders who bring their card or proof of address with them.
Revd Stephen Girling, Bath Abbey Missioner, says of the event: “As a Bronze Eco Church, Bath Abbey is excited to host this dynamic event, planned and run alongside our partner organisations. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about how we can treasure God’s creation and remain mindful of our impact on it.
This is a wonderful opportunity for our visitors and local residents to discover more about opportunities nearby to get involved with reversing climate change and learning to live more sustainably.”
A series of events at the Abbey focused on appreciating and caring for the world will run alongside the installation, including a concert with Bristol Ensemble playing music from Blue Planet, and stargazing events.
An early visitor to view the exhibit was West of England Mayor, Dan Norris who is running the West of England Explore Local campaign.
He’s pictured below with Bath Abbey’s CEO Frank Mowat.
He told Bath Newseum:
“This is a super-important and inspiring artwork – Gaia encourages us all to gaze at the planet we call home, but also to reflect on what we all need to do to care for it as well during this climate crisis.
“It just goes to show how many amazing things to do we have right here on our doorstep. So whether it’s eyes to the skies at Herschel Museum, celebrating Bath’s most famous resident at Jane Austen Museum, or taking the opportunity to see our planet floating in space at Bath Abbey, let’s get out there and rediscover all Bath, and our amazing region, has to offer”.
Mr Jerram’s work will be at Bath Abbey until Sunday 29 October.
Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath.
Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.
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