HOTA TO PRESENT EAST COAST PREMIERE OF THE MAJOR EARTH INSTALLATION, GAIA

Created by UK multidisciplinary artist Luke Jerram, Gaia measures seven metres in diameter and combines 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface with specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones. 

Gaia is the personification of the Earth in Greek Mythology and this major artwork provides visitors the opportunity to view our planet as if they were astronauts looking on from outer space.

The installation will be suspended from HOTA’s Outdoor Stage from 1 - 14 October 2020 and will be accompanied by a program of events, to be announced, including classical music, contemporary dance, talks from thought-leaders, and more. 

Criena Gehrke, Chief Executive Officer of HOTA, Home of the Arts said: “Luke Jerram’s stunning installation captures the beauty and fragility of our planet. In a time where people are overwhelmed, this captivating artwork offers a gentle space for reflection.

Audiences can come and sit on the lawn, enjoying the experience in their own time with loved ones, or take advantage of the performances taking place that will respond to the wonder of Gaia. 

We are thrilled to be able to provide the opportunity to connect with work from a celebrated international artist.”

Luke Jerram is a UK-based artist known globally for his multidisciplinary work including sculptures, installations and live artworks, which combine art, science and play. 

His most recent installation Museum of the Moon has been viewed by over 3 million people worldwide and was presented in Australia at the Commonwealth Games and recently at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. 

 “Gaia creates a sense of the Overview Effect, the experience of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, as felt by astronauts in outer space,” said Artist Luke Jerram.

”Now in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the artwork may provide the viewer with a new perspective; a sense that societies of the Earth are all interconnected and that we have a responsibility toward one another. After the lockdown, there has been a renewed respect for our natural world.”

Images and video footage available of GAIA to download HERE. The program of events and opening hours will be announced shortly. Further information can be found at www.hota.com.au.

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ALL MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Amy Stalinescu | M10 Collective

E: amy@m10.com.au M: 0411 789 195


ABOUT LUKE JERRAM

Luke Jerram is a UK-based artist known globally for his multidisciplinary work including sculptures, installations and live artworks, which combine art, science and play. His work tours worldwide and in 2018, he had 73 exhibitions in 21 different countries. 

He is known for creating art which encourages viewer participation, with previous works including Play Me, I'm Yours, which saw over 1,900 street pianos installed in over 70 cities across the globe and the critically acclaimed Sky Orchestra, a performative artwork including 7 hot air balloons and a surround sound experience (this launched the 2007 Sydney Festival). 

His Glass Microbiology artworks are in museum collections around the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), Shanghai Museum of Glass, Wellcome Collection (London) and Corning Museum of Glass (USA). 


ABOUT HOTA GALLERY

In early 2021, HOTA will open the City’s new $60.5M Gallery. HOTA Gallery is the centrepiece of the City’s Cultural Precinct Masterplan which guides the evolution of the precinct over the next 10-15 years as the city’s artistic and cultural needs grow. And with more than $399 million allocated to deliver the precinct, this is a City serious about supporting the arts.

Designed by international architects ARM and spanning six levels with over 200mm2 of AAA rated, international standard exhibition space, the new Gallery will include a 1000m2 main exhibition space, with the capacity for touring exhibitions of an international size and scale. It will also feature 900m2 of exhibition space for the City Collection and temporary exhibitions, a dedicated Children’s Gallery and almost 1000m2 for collection storage and exhibition preparation.

HOTA Gallery will become a must-see destination that facilitates and shares new ideas and experiences in visual art both indoors and outdoors; that draws its strength from integrated arts programming, and collaborations with artists, creatives and institutional partners on a local to global scale.

HOTA Gallery will be the largest public gallery outside a capital city in Australia with the ability and ambition to present exhibitions and projects of national and international scale. In the first two years the Gallery will host three major international exhibitions that are Australian exclusives and will continue to celebrate local talent along with presenting the $32 million City Collection in its new home The annual Gallery program will also feature commissions, children’s exhibitions and education initiatives, talks, performances and Up-Lates alongside external activations and installations. For more information visit:  https://hota.com.au/new-hota-gallery/