GAIA by Luke Jerram

Marking Earth Day on the Isle of Man, see the planet as you have never seen it before between 20 April and 12 May 2024.

Gaia, the iconic giant illuminated globe installation by UK artist Luke Jerram is coming to St Thomas' Church in Douglas.

Measuring six metres in diameter, Gaia is an internally-lit sphere, 2.1 million times smaller than the real Earth. It has been recreated from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface and each centimetre of the sculpture represents 21km of our planet.

A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning Composer Dan Jones is played alongside the sculpture.

This is a unique chance to see our precious planet at this scale, rotating in three-dimensions, framed inside St Thomas' magnificent archways and famed Nicholson murals.

The visit to the Isle of Man has been supported by a partnership of organisations including Net Zero Isle of Man, Isle of Man Arts Council, Ørsted and St Thomas' Church.

Gaia was created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. With supporting partners Culture Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.

You'll need to book a session to visit Gaia.

Sessions (up to 45 minutes each) are between: Mon - Sat 10am - 4pm, Sun 1pm - 4pm, selected evening openings (generally Mon, Tue, Fri and Sat) 6pm - 8pm but check available session times as a series of special events will also take place under Gaia. Find out more here.

Day sessions are free with donations welcome on entry to St Thomas' Church or once you have got your ticket, evening sessions are £3. Special events will have a separate charge.

All attendees must have a ticket.

Book a Quiet Session for low lighting and lower sound. You may wish to bring ear defenders or tinted glasses if you have an aversion to bright lighting.

Quiet Sessions are scheduled at;

• 10:00am on Tuesday 23 April
• 3:15pm on Thursday 25 April
• 6:00pm on Monday 29 April
• 12:15pm on Wednesday 1 May
• 10:00am on Monday 6 May
• 3:15pm on Wednesday 8 May
• 1:00pm on Sunday 12 May

Note this is not an all-seated event you can move around the venue to see Gaia and under it, although you may choose to sit in the pews for a time.

The venue

Set just back from the seafront, St. Thomas' Church stands tall at the heart of Douglas in the city's Cultural Area.

When you get your tickets please take planet-friendly transport where possible - walk, wheel or take public transport. St Thomas' is located on Finch Road. The nearest bus stop is at the Cultural Area/Gaiety Theatre and is served by 1, 2, 11 and 12 bus services on the promenade. The venue is a 1-minute walk from this bus stop. Cycle parking is also located in the Cultural Area. The venue is an 11-minute walk from the main Lord Street Bus Station. To view routes and timetables visit Bus Vannin.

Entry will be via the double-door entrance on Finch Road. Ramp access is available. The nearest public toilet facilities are at Chester Street or the Villa Marina Arcade. In the evening please use the facilities at the Villa Marina.

Photo credit: St Thomas' by Culture Vannin

Events happening under Gaia

Climate Café at Gaia

Monday 22 April, 2:30 - 4:30pm and 5:30 to 7:30pm

Wednesday 1 May, 2:30 - 4:30pm

Fearful about the impact of the climate emergency on you, your family and the world?

A climate café is a warm, hospitable and safe space to discuss and process thoughts and feelings about the climate and ecological crisis. And, of course, to have a cuppa and eat cake.

Trained Climate Psychology Alliance facilitators Julie Bibby and Philippa Tomlinson will welcome you to a quiet and friendly space in St Thomas’ Church where the focus will be on sharing feelings and listening, rather than problems, solutions, actions or giving advice. For many of us, sharing how we feel about the threats to our Earth (Gaia) and our Island with like-minded people in a small group can bring some relief and help us feel less isolated and more resilient.

Tickets must be booked separately here.

Re-imagining Our Biosphere: co-creating a nature positive future on the Isle of Man

Saturday 4 May, 10am - 1pm (choose a Gaia session at 10am, 11am or 12pm to join the workshop)

Re-imagining Our Biosphere is a playful, interactive drop-in workshop for people of all ages to explore re-imagining a future on the Isle of Man where nature and looking after our biosphere is at the heart of everything we do. How would life look different? What would we want to see on our Island and what would a nature-friendly future actually look like?

Join Ali Hodgson, the Biosphere Artist in Residence in partnership with Manx Wildlife Trust, UNECSO Biosphere Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Arts Council in this playful workshop and be guided using creative prompts to literally ‘build’ our future on the Isle of Man using easy to use materials, a giant map of the Isle of Man and as much or as little guidance as participants want.

Set amongst the backdrop of the Gaia installation, come away feeling inspired about the possibilities of how we could do things differently, and let our imaginations loose to taste the future we want to create together on the Isle of Man!

Wildlife Remembered - Short Film and Q&A under Gaia

Friday 10th May. 6.30 pm Doors open, 7.00 pm start.

Wildlife Remembered is a short film highlighting the Island's conservation efforts, produced and directed by the Manx Wildlife Trust’s head of engagement, Graham Makepeace-Warne.

"Wildlife Remembered" delves into the concept of shifting baseline syndrome; a phenomenon where successive generations witness a decline in wildlife and accept it as the new norm.

The 15-minute film features interviews with Island residents to 'paint a vivid picture' of the diminishing presence of wildlife in the Isle of Man.

It features graphics and animations by Kyle Withington and an 'emotive' musical score composed by Eleri Morgan. There will be a Q&A at the end with Graham Makepeace-Warne and MWT CEO Leigh Morris.