As Liverpool prepares itself for the arrival of the Eurovision Song Contest, Royal Albert Dock has revealed the first of its celebratory events to mark the occasion.

In the run-up to 13 May and the contest’s Grand Final, a huge series of events are being rolled out by the dock.

From Ukrainian food and drink, live music events to creative pop-ups, the jewel in Royal Albert Dock’s programme is the installation of a 10-metre artwork, ‘Floating Earth’, which will shine brightly in the dock from 28 April – 18 May.

The piece, by artist Luke Jerram, uses detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, and provides visitors with the opportunity to see our planet floating gently in three dimensions – creating Liverpool’s most incredible backdrop.

Using the water’s surface as a natural mirror, the artwork will present a stunning and awe-inspiring visual effect, accompanied by a soundscape from BAFTA award-winning composer, Dan Jones.

Artist Luke Jerram says: “It’s great to be able to present my artwork at Royal Albert Dock. As a child growing up in the countryside, the first ever art exhibition I saw was as a child age 14 at Tate Liverpool.

“It was an exhibition by Giacometti and it was a light bulb moment that inspired me to want to experience more art and become an artist. So to be able to present my artwork in this special location means a great deal to me.”

Floating Earth will be in situ in the dock’s inner quay over the early Spring Bank Holiday and Coronation Bank Holiday, as well as throughout all of Eurovision’s key dates, including two semi-finals and the Grand Final on Saturday 13th May.

In addition to the artwork, Royal Albert Dock will also be welcoming the return of a 72 ft Challenger yacht from the Tall Ship Youth Trust, as well as many of the museums and galleries, shops, bars & restaurants joining together in dock-wide Eurovision activity in May.

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