Jeff Koons sculptures hitch a ride on SpaceX Rocket to the Moon
American artist Jeff Koons saw a SpaceX rocket carrying 125 of his miniature moon sculptures and other cargo take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the early morning of Thursday.
SpaceX estimates that a lunar lander, designed by Intuitive Machines and separated from the rocket after liftoff, will reach the moon in about a week if all goes according to plan. The lander contains Koons' artwork and NASA equipment, including a stereo camera and radio receiver.
“I grew up listening to President Kennedy talk about going to the moon,” Koons said in an interview before he left. “It gave our society a vision and drive that allowed us to believe in ourselves and achieve things.”
Koons thought his stainless steel sculptures would reach space by the end of 2022, but the project had several stops and starts, including a setback this week. Scientists had postponed the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket after noticing a problem with the methane propellant.
“It happened at the very last minute,” Koons said. While methane was being loaded into the spacecraft, “the temperature was a little higher than they wanted.”
The artist said the project was inspired by his son Sean Koons, who approached him with the idea after seeing a proposal to send artwork to the moon. The project involved digital art and technology company NFMoon and space exploration company 4Space, as well as support from Pace Gallery.
Koons is one of the most recognizable artists in the United States, whose sentimental sculptures have delighted and enraged critics in equal measure. But the art market has consistently supported his efforts. In 2019, his silver rabbit sculpture sold for more than $91 million at a Christie's auction. The 1986 sculpture, crafted to look like a balloon bunny, became one of the best-selling works of art by a contemporary artist.
The artist said launching his miniature moons was just phase one. Two other components of the project remain on Earth: a larger version of each sculpture, encased in glass, that collectors can take home, and an accompanying NFT showing the installation of the moon landing.
The moons are named after inspiring historical figures. “Leonardo da Vinci, Ada Lovelace, Plato, Billie Holiday,” Koons said, listing examples.
Other artists have tried to conquer the space, only to have their works of art disappear into its vastness. Trevor Paglen launched a $1.5 million satellite called “Orbital reflector” in a 2018 collaboration with the Nevada Museum of Art. But the project soon fell victim to a government shutdown, which left engineers unable to maintain contact with the satellite.
If the lunar lander carrying the Koons sculptures reaches its destination, this would be the first authorized artwork on the moon. Koons believes it will remain a heritage site forever according to the Artemis Accordsthat protects historically significant locations and artifacts in space.