There is just under one month left to see the earth in a free exhibition at Millennium Point. To celebrate a fantastic first month, Millennium Point’s CEO Abbie Vlahakis caught up with the Artist behind Gaia, Luke Jerram to chat more about the piece and his inspirations behind it.
Gaia will be at Millennium Point until the 28th March. The free to attend event requires no booking and is open everyday to the public until 11pm. Hundreds of people from across Birmingham and the wider region have marvelled at the breath-taking earth artwork, which combines NASA satellite imagery with an awe-inspiring soundtrack to invoke a sense of profound love for the earth.
‘A long-term relationship with Millennium Point’
This isn’t the first time Luke Jerram’s work has visited Millennium Point – in 2005 120 guests packed into Thinktank Science Museum for a mass experimental concert that lasted throughout the night. Then again in 2017, Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon visited Thinktank which was accompanied by a musical composition created award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Gaia and Millennium Point
We wanted everyone to have a memorable time at Millennium Point during Gaia. That’s why, along with the breath-taking Gaia, we unveiled an exciting events programme.
We had date night sorted with a special Valentine’s screening of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet with prosecco. Guests enjoyed their drinks while gazing at Gaia before their film started.
There was plenty of fun for families too, with a series of special film screenings during February half-term. On Friday 25th February, we got ready to go ‘under the sea’ and enjoyed Disney classic The Little Mermaid on the big screen. And on Saturday 26th February, youngsters watched an adventure of a lifetime with a screening of fan favourite Moana.
The fun didn’t stop there, throughout half-term, Millennium Point, in partnership with Thinktank Science Museum ran a series of interactive drop-in sessions for families and children, hosted under Gaia. From fun-filled experiments and activities to demonstrations and performances, the programme highlighted the fascinating world of environmental science and the actions we can all take to help protect the planet.
For a quiet getaway, Maria Widdows guided yoga sessions under Gaia. We joined her as she led a grounding, balancing yoga practice. The sessions were enjoyed were enjoyed by yoga enthusiasts as well as newbies to the practice.
And lastly, on coming up on Saturday 19th March, visitors can see the world in a whole new light, as they enjoy Silent Disco under Gaia. Millennium Point have teamed up with silent disco experts Silent Noize, to give visitors the best night of music from rock, indie, and power ballads to RnB, hip-hop and old skool classics.
An unimaginable view amongst the stars, all from the comfort of Earth
Gaia will be at Millennium Point until 28th March for all to see. It’s free to attend, with no booking necessary. Plan your visit now and don’t miss out, we can’t wait to see you!
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Free your mind, relax and experience the magic beneath Luke Jerram’s spectacular Gaia display.
After popular demand, we are pleased to announce that we’ve added more dates for Yoga under Gaia. Take a break and enjoy free yoga with Maria Widdows under the breath-taking Gaia. Join her as she leads a grounding, balancing yoga practice, where no experience is needed.
The sessions will be taking place on the following dates:
- Monday 28th February at 12:00pm and 1:15pm (45 minutes)
- Monday 7th March at 6:45pm (75 minutes)
- Monday 21st March at 6:45pm (75 minutes)
Have an open mind, take a breath, and connect back to Mother Earth. Spaces can be booked now by visiting Maria’s website.
A magical view of earth in the heart of Birmingham
Created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia invites guests to appreciate the beauty and majesty of our planet on an awe-inspiring scale. The spectacular artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than the Earth, with each centimetre of the sculpture depicting 18km of the Earth’s surface.
The installation is on display in Millennium Point’s impressive Atrium, suspended from above and slowly revolving, giving visitors the chance to view the Earth from every angle as never before. The artwork is also accompanied by a specially created surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
If you can’t make the yoga, why not visit us another time to see the spectacular earth sculpture. Gaia is completely free to attend and requires no booking. Simply visit Millennium Point during our opening hours of 8am to 11pm. For more information please click here.
Share your experience with us on social media with hashtag #EarthArtWork and #MillenniumPoint.
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
The awe-inspiring Gaia artwork, created by artist Luke Jerram, has been unveiled in Birmingham for the first time today, at award-winning events and conference venue, Millennium Point.
The major art installation is free-of-charge to see and will be on display at Millennium Point from 1st February until Monday 28th March, giving visitors the unique opportunity to view the Earth as it appears from space.
A magnificent view of Earth in the heart of Birmingham
Created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia invites guests to appreciate the beauty and majesty of our planet on an awe-inspiring scale. The spectacular artwork is 1.8 million times smaller than the Earth, with each centimetre of the sculpture depicting 18km of the Earth’s surface.
The installation is on display in Millennium Point’s impressive atrium, suspended from above and slowly revolving, giving visitors the chance to view the Earth from every angle as never before. The artwork is also accompanied by a specially created surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.
Millennium Point’s exciting event schedule unveiled
What’s more, to celebrate Gaia’s arrival, Millennium Point has announced an exciting programme of film screenings, family activities and themed events throughout February and March, which are now available to book online via the venue’s website. Events include a special screening of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet over Valentines weekend; film screenings of family-favourites The Little Mermaid and Moana during February half term.
On the 7th and 28th February, take a break and enjoy free yoga with Maria Widdows under the breath-taking Gaia. Join her as she leads a grounding, balancing yoga practice, no experience needed. Have an open mind, take a breath, and connect back to Mother Earth. Spaces can be booked through her website.
Grab your dancing shoes on 19th March and prepare to watch 3 DJs battle it out under Gaia at our Silent Disco ran by Silent Noize. The ‘out of this world’ event will be a night to remember, grab your friends and hit the dancefloor.
Why not grab a bite when visiting? Millennium Point is the home of authentic Italian food experts Mulinos Café, based on level 2. Open from 8am – 5pm, Mulinos is owned by the Brummie favourite Laghi’s Deli, so expect to find a tantalising selection of delicious pizzas, bakery items and more.
Fancy going on a scientific journey of discovery? Plan a visit to the award-winning Thinktank Science Museum. Explore space by visiting the Planetarium, where the theatre is under a dome, specially designed to help you explore astronomy, space and the night sky. Don’t forget to head outside to the Science Garden, which is packed full of surprises and fun activities for the whole family.
What it means to showcase Gaia
Abbie Vlahakis, CEO at Millennium Point, said: “We’re delighted to see this profound artwork on display, which encourages us to appreciate the beauty of our planet like never before.
“Gaia has been displayed across the globe – from Rome to Shanghai – so we’re thrilled to bring it to the very heart of Birmingham for the first time, so that people across the region can enjoy this incredible artwork up close. We can’t wait to welcome visitors for an experience that’s out of this world!”
Luke Jerram, artist and creator of Gaia, commented: “I’m excited that Gaia is now on display in Birmingham, and I hope that people from across the city and beyond will have the chance to experience a new perspective of our place on the planet.
“I hope visitors to Gaia at Millennium Point get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. It is an ecosystem we urgently need to look after and our only home.”
Gaia is free to visit, open to all ages and no booking is required. For more information and to plan your visit, go to www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/gaia/.
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Award winning conference and events venue Millennium Point has announced a brand-new events programme to celebrate the arrival of Gaia, a major art installation which will be unveiled at the venue next month.
The earth artwork will be free to visit with no booking required.
An unimaginable view amongst the stars, all from the comfort of Earth
Luke Jerram is a British artist that creates sculptures, installations, and live art projects. Having more than 600 exhibitions in 44 countries, he is now known globally for his innovative arts practice and large-scale public artworks.
Luke Jerram’s Gaia aims to create the Overview Effect, but for people standing on Earth. First coined by author Frank White it features the experience that astronauts feel in space. Feelings of awe, an understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Make Millennium Point your place to go
To celebrate its arrival, the venue has announced an exciting programme of film screenings, family activities and themed events, which are now available to book online.
Millennium Point’s 354-seater Auditorium will screen a number of film favourites during Gaia’s installation, giving movie-lovers the chance to combine a visit to the spectacular artwork with a trip to the big screen.
For those looking for a Valentine’s Activity with a difference, visitors can enjoy an exclusive screening of Baz Luhrmann’s epic retelling of the Shakespeare classic, Romeo + Juliet, on Saturday 12 February. Tickets are priced at £20.00 per person and each pair of tickets will include a complimentary bottle of prosecco to enjoy during the film.
There’s plenty of fun for families too, with a series of special film screenings during February half term which are perfect for children of all ages. On Friday 25 February, get ready to go ‘under the sea’ and enjoy Disney classic The Little Mermaid on the big screen. And on Saturday 26 February, youngsters can watch the adventure of a lifetime with a screening of fan favourite Moana.
Tickets for The Little Mermaid and Moana are priced at £7.50 per person, with child tickets including a bag of sweets to enjoy during the screening.
Throughout February, Millennium Point, in partnership with Thinktank Science Museum, will be running a series of interactive drop-in sessions for families and children, hosted under the giant Gaia artwork. From fun-filled experiments and activities to demonstrations and performances, the programme will highlight the fascinating world of environmental science and the actions we can all take to help protect the planet we call home.
And on Saturday 19th March, visitors can see the world in a whole new light, as they enjoy a Silent Disco underneath Gaia. Millennium Point has teamed up with silent disco experts Silent Noize, to give visitors the best night of music from rock, indie and power ballads to RnB, hip hop and old skool club classics. Tickets are priced at £10.00 per person.
What else is at Millennium Point?
Why not grab a bite when visiting? Millennium Point is the home of authentic Italian food experts Mulinos Café, based on level 2. Open from 8am – 5pm, Mulinos is owned by the Brummie favourite Laghi’s Deli, so expect to find a tantalising selection of delicious pizzas, bakery items and more.
Fancy going on a scientific journey of discovery? Plan a visit to the award-winning Thinktank Science Museum. Explore space by visiting the Planetarium, where the theatre is under a dome, specially designed to help you explore astronomy, space and the night sky. Don’t forget to head outside to the Science Garden, which is packed full of surprises and fun activities for the whole family.
Don’t miss out on the breath-taking Gaia
Gaia is free to visit, open to all ages and no booking is required. For more information and to plan your visit, go to: http://www.millenniumpoint.org.uk/gaia/
Getting to Millennium Point for Gaia
Millennium Point is in the Eastside of Birmingham City Centre. Just 5 minutes’ walk from Moor Street, and 15 minutes’ walk from Grand Central and the tram. There is also limited parking onsite which means we’re easy to find regardless of how you travel.
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
Experience Earth like never before at Birmingham’s landmark city centre venue with Luke Jerram’s breath-taking Gaia. Millennium Point are delighted to be able to host the spectacular live art installation. Showing from 1st February to 28th March 2022 the unmissable sight will also be accompanied with a schedule bursting with exciting activities.
This 8-week installation of Luke Jerram’s Gaia artwork is our latest initiative to help entertain, educate, and inspire local communities.
An unimaginable view amongst the stars, all from the comfort of Earth
Luke Jerram is a British artist that creates sculptures, installations, and live art projects. Having more than 600 exhibitions in 44 countries, he is now known globally for his innovative arts practice and large-scale public artworks.
Luke Jerram’s Gaia aims to create the Overview Effect, but for people standing on Earth. First coined by author Frank White it features the experience that astronauts feel in space. Feelings of awe, an understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Hoping that it engages and starts the conversation on what we can do to protect our fragile blue planet, the travelling artwork also acts as a mirror to major events in society. Throughout the current COVID-19 pandemic, and after lockdown there has been a renewed respect for nature. Viewers may also gain a new perspective from Gaia, that everyone is all interconnected and have a responsibility toward one another.
The 7m in diameter artwork 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 Gaia, the public will be able to see the Earth as it appears from the moon. Gaia will slowly revolve and be accompanied by a specially created composition by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones.
Sustainability is a journey not a destination
As an award-winning landmark building, it is vital to do our part to aim to be as sustainable as possible. As times have changed, Millennium Point have adapted to try and become greener to protect are planet and promote the importance of sustainability. Having Gaia at Millennium Point we hope it transfers the same thought-provoking action that is needed to make a change.
You can find out more about our sustainability pledge here.
Make your event stand out with Gaia
Luke Jerram’s Gaia will be at Millennium Point for 8-weeks from Tuesday 1st February until Monday 28th March 2022, giving plenty of time for all to enjoy. Take advantage by hosting your event at Millennium Point during this period to give your guests a wow factor at no additional cost. Gaia is a unique piece that is sure to drive attendee numbers and spark conversations, while making your event one to remember. There is also an opportunity to upgrade your booking to include a welcome reception under Gaia, to greet guests in a way that is literally out of this world!
Discover more about our versatile spaces that are suitable for both public and private events here.
The Gaia exhibition is free and open to the public during standard Millennium Point opening hours from 2nd February to 28th March. More details on our exciting programme will be released in early 2022. You can keep up to date on the latest Gaia news with by signing up to our mailing list.
Find more interesting content from Millennium Point over at our news section, or follow us for daily updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn with @MillenniumPoint. Millennium Point is a landmark public building and multi-award-winning events venue in the Eastside of Birmingham City centre. Profits from our commercial activity are invested by the Millennium Point Charitable Trust into projects, events and initiatives which support the growth of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and education in the West Midlands.
