Guy Laliberté

GAIA is the latest tour de force of Guy Laliberté, Founder of Cirque du Soleil® and first-ever private space explorer to publish a book chronicling his photographic journey. Here in more than 300 pages, Laliberté presents stunning photographs of the Earth taken from 220 miles away during an eleven-day trip in space, with unique views of nearly forty countries. Documents both rare and captivating, his images are natural works of art, rich in color and texture. GAIA showcases the planet we inhabit as it has never been seen before.

Guy Laliberté was born in Québec City. An accordionist, stilt-walker, and fire-eater, he founded Cirque du Soleil, Québec's first internationally renowned circus, with the support of a small group of colleagues. A bold visionary, Laliberté recognized and cultivated the talents of the street performers from the Fête foraine de Baie-Saint-Paul. He was the first to orchestrate the marriage of cultures and artistic and acrobatic disciplines that is the hallmark of Cirque du Soleil. Since 1984, he has guided the creative team through the creation of every show. Today, Cirque du Soleil is a sprawling international operation, as much in terms of its makeup as in the scope of its activities and influence. Guy Laliberté now heads an organization with activities on five continents.

Laliberté dedicated his personal spaceflight to raising awareness about water issues facing humankind, making his the first "Poetic Social Mission" in space.

Submitted by Thompson Landry Gallery