What will you discover this summer?

Durham Cathedral and Southwell Minster are both getting ready to host Gaia this summer, the giant illuminated sculpture of planet Earth.

Gaia installation at Durham and Southwell this Summer.

The seven-meter globe has been created by piecing together detailed images of the Earth’s surface, taken by NASA, and visitors will be able to see the whole planet floating in three dimensions as the artwork slowly revolves. A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside.

The touring installation will land in Durham Cathedral on Monday 10 July and another iteration of it will land in Southwell Minster on Wednesday 26 July.

Both cathedrals have planned an exciting programme of events around the artwork to inspire visitors of all ages to think about what they can do to care for our planet and combat climate change.

Gaia has been seen at a number of venues across the world – including many of our cathedrals – and later this Autumn, visitors to Truro Cathedral will be able to experience it there too.

Durham Cathedral will host Gaia until 10 September and it is accompanied by a programme of earth-themed events including sustainable dinners under the Earth, yoga classes and silent discos. One of the highlights will be Gaia Lates, a series of late-night openings offering visitors the chance to see the installation after-hours.

More here.

Gaia can be seen at Southwell Minster from Wednesday 26 July – Sunday 13 Aug and Southwell too is hosting a wide range of events including child-friendly, interactive talks from ‘The Average Scientist’  and drop-in crafts, games and activities for all the family.

There’s also poetry and music under Gaia, a photography exhibition and an evening with the Revd Kate Bottley.

Find out more here.