Gaia brings the world to Birkenhead Park

The whole world is coming to Birkenhead Park next week as part of Wirral’s year as Borough of Culture.

Artist Luke Jerram’s Gaia will be in residence at the historic park from May 28-30.

The huge inflatable sculpture has previously visited Liverpool Cathedral, while Jerram’s Moon was installed in Birkenhead Town Hall in autumn 2019.

Measuring 23ft (seven metres) in diameter and created from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, Gaia gives onlookers the opportunity to examine our planet close up.

The artist said: “I’m delighted that my Gaia artwork will be part of this important programme which makes culture available to everyone in the area.

“Presented in the landmark Birkenhead Park, 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.”

Above: Luke Jerram's Moon was displayed in Birkenhead Town Hall in 2019. Top: Gaia visited Liverpool Cathedral in the same year.

Meanwhile Wirral Council has revealed it is working with Salford-based outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank to deliver a Borough of Culture programme that is inspired by Wirral’s unique location and heritage – celebrating the past, while also looking ahead to the future.

Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said: "We’re delighted to bring some Walk the Plank magic to Wirral’s Borough of Culture and to showcase Gaia, local artists and community groups in an inventive programme of activities and events." 

More than half-a-million people took part in Wirral's Liverpool City Region Borough of Culture year in 2019.

Council bosses say they hope this year's plans will show how culture plays a role in creating places people want to live, work and spend time in - and the programme aims to tell and reflect Wirral's story.

Gaia will be in Birkenhead Park from May 28-30.