It's a whole new world

16 Nov 2021 04:01
Published by: Scott Callan

MORE details have been revealed about some of the events and performances set to accompany 'Gaia' - the stunning replica of planet Earth - during its Rochdale stay.

UK artist Luke Jerram's internationally renowned installation will see the huge work of art exhibited at Number One Riverside in the town centre from Saturday, November 20 until Christmas Eve.

Measuring seven metres in diameter and created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface, it will provide the opportunity to see the planet on a huge scale, floating in three dimensions.

A surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning compose Dan Jones will be played alongside the sculpture.

As well as seeing the spectacular 'Gaia', a host of special events have been themed around looking after the environment.

During 'Gaia's' residency, television presenter and 'Gastronaut' Stefan Gates will perform his 'Extraordinary Insects' show.

Rochdale's M6 Theatre Company will tour local secondary schools as well as stage a public performance of 'The Storm', at Number One Riverside, their powerful live theatre production that confronts the climate emergency.

Skylight Circus will be staging its new production 'Mammoth', combining acrobatics music and lighting effects to tell a thought-provoking story about big environmental issues.

There will also be a spectacular production called Global Circus, performed beneath Gaia by Skylight Circus Arts. Animated with specially commissioned music, it will be performed live by a local group of asylum seekers and refugees.

As well as these family friendly events, lots more activities will be delivered in the borough's schools during Gaia's stay in Rochdale, including a photography competition based around capturing close ups of the natural environment, and a climate change summit for secondary pupils aimed at stimulating debate on environmental sustainability.

Primary school children are being invited to take part in science experiments in front of Gaia relating to the Earth in space, forces or looking after the environment.

Rochdale Music Service will use Gaia to spark creativity in music, delivering performing arts sessions in local schools whilst raising awareness of environmental concerns.

Local nursery and primary school children will be visiting Gaia and be shown how to be an astronaut, see how the Earth looks from the Moon and learn about gravity and the first lunar landing. They'll even be awarded an astronaut passport for completing their training!

Visual art sessions are also being planned with young people from the LGBTQ+ community, leading to a finale exhibition at Gaia.

The exhibition and these supporting events are being staged in partnership with Rochdale Council and Your Trust (formerly Link4Life), supported financially by the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Darren Grice, deputy chief executive of Your Trust, said: "We hope Gaia will spark the imagination of those who visit and help inspire us all to think about the changes we can make to protect our precious planet."

Dates, times and booking details, if applicable, will be announced shortly.

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