Larger than life Gaia exhibition at Rockhampton River Festival
Published on 15 September 2022
Rockhampton Regional Council is excited to announce international touring artwork Gaia will take pride of place outside the Rockhampton Museum of Art as part of Rockhampton River Festival.
Mayor Tony Williams said festival attendees will see our planet like never before with Gaia by artist Luke Jerram.
“Visitors will be able to gaze upon the Earth as if from space, without ever having to leave the atmosphere,” Mayor Williams said.
“At a span of seven metres Gaia is 1.8 million times smaller than the real Earth with each centimetre of the internally lit sculpture describing 18km of the Earth’s surface. By standing 211m away from the artwork, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon.”
Artist Luke Jerram hopes to invoke the Overview Effect in everyday people – a feeling of awe at the scale of our universe that often inspires renewed awareness of the fragility of life.
“I hope visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. An ecosystem we urgently need to look after – our only home,” says Luke.
Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager Mr Greg Bowden said this year’s festival brings a significant program of art installations, performers and cultural experiences never before seen in Rockhampton.
“As a free festival the Rockhampton community should be extremely proud of what is on offer by inviting friends and family to stay for the weekend of festivities,” Mr Bowden said.
The festival, held 7-9 October, will stretch along Quay Street from Fitzroy to William Streets and will this year flow into East Street to support our CBD traders. Festival goers are encouraged to explore the brand-new Art Link from the Rockhampton Museum of Art through Quay Lane and onto East Street for a hive of live music and markets on Saturday and Sunday.
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Entry to Rockhampton River Festival is free.
Thank you to our sponsors Fitzroy Partnership for River Health, CQ Today, Triple M and 4RO.