Cathedral of the Incarnation to Host "This Fragile Earth, Our Island Home"
April 25 – May 31, 2026
Featuring Luke Jerram's Monumental "Gaia" Sculpture
GARDEN CITY, NY – Following the overwhelming success of last spring's "Moon as Sacred Mirror" installation, which drew more than 15,000 visitors, the Cathedral of the Incarnation announces its second major art residency: "This Fragile Earth, Our Island Home," featuring internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram's spectacular "Gaia" sculpture. The installation will be on view from April 25 through May 31, 2026. This will be the first exhibition of Gaia in a US house of worship.
Measuring six meters (20 feet) in diameter, Gaia is a breathtaking replica of planet Earth created from detailed NASA imagery of our planet's surface. The internally illuminated, rotating sculpture will be suspended in the Cathedral's historic neo-Gothic nave, offering visitors an extraordinary opportunity to see Earth as astronauts do—floating in three-dimensional space.
"After the profound impact of the Museum of the Moon last spring, we knew we wanted to continue exploring the intersection of art, science, and faith," said The Very Rev. Canon Michael T. Sniffen, PhD, Dean of Long Island. "With Gaia, we turn our attention from our celestial companion to our own fragile home, inviting reflection on our responsibility as stewards of creation."
The installation's theme, "This Fragile Earth, Our Island Home," draws from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer and underscores the urgent need for environmental awareness and action. Gaia aims to inspire what astronauts call the "Overview Effect"—a cognitive shift that occurs when viewing Earth from space, characterized by feelings of awe, an understanding of the interconnectedness of all life, and a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.
A Comprehensive Program of Events
Building on the successful model established during "Moon as Sacred Mirror," the Cathedral will present an extensive program of cultural, educational, and spiritual events throughout the installation's five-week residency. Anticipated programming includes:
Worship and Spiritual Formation: Special liturgies, contemplative prayer services, and environmental-themed worship incorporating Gaia as a focal point for reflection on creation care
Educational Programs: Lectures and discussions with environmental scientists, climate experts, and astronauts exploring Earth systems, climate change, and planetary stewardship
Arts and Culture: Concerts, choral performances, poetry readings, and theatrical presentations celebrating our planet
Community Engagement: Yoga sessions, family programs, art exhibitions in the Cathedral's Gallery at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, and collaborative events with local educational institutions
Interfaith Dialogue: Programs bringing together diverse faith traditions to discuss environmental ethics and shared responsibility for Earth's future
About Gaia
Gaia is 1.8 million times smaller than the actual Earth, with each centimeter of the sculpture representing 21 kilometers of our planet's surface. Accompanied by a specially commissioned surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones, the installation creates an immersive experience that has captivated audiences worldwide. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of Earth, the ancestral mother of all life.
Created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot, and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres, Gaia has been presented in museums, cathedrals, and public spaces around the world. The sculpture has consistently drawn massive audiences, with some installations attracting over 200,000 visitors.
About Luke Jerram
UK artist Luke Jerram's multidisciplinary practice spans sculptures, installations, and live art projects that have excited and inspired audiences globally for more than 25 years. His large-scale public artworks, including Museum of the Moon and Gaia, have been exhibited in prestigious venues worldwide, from Liverpool Cathedral to the Singapore Science Centre. Jerram was elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2019.
About the Cathedral of the Incarnation
The Cathedral of the Incarnation serves as the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, which stretches from Brooklyn to Montauk. Built in 1885 as a memorial to merchant and philanthropist Alexander Turney Stewart, it stands as the centerpiece of America's first cathedral town, Garden City. The Cathedral is the only single-benefactory cathedral in the United States and is recognized as a significant example of 19th-century Gothic Revival architecture.
Under the leadership of Dean Sniffen, the Cathedral has emerged as a dynamic center for arts, culture, and community engagement, hosting innovative programming that bridges sacred and secular experiences while serving as a gathering place for Long Island's diverse communities.
Visiting Information
Free daytime admission will be available throughout the exhibition period, with suggested donations to support Cathedral programming and preservation efforts. Special evening programming may require ticketed admission. Complete programming details and ticketing information will be announced in early 2025.
For more information about "This Fragile Earth, Our Island Home" contact the Cathedral at connect@IncarnationGC.org or (516) 746-2955.