Renowned artist Jeff Koons has made history with his latest project, “The Moon Phases Project,” as he successfully launched 125 sculptures to the moon earlier today. The long-awaited event took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, after several delays and setbacks.
“The Moon Phases Project” was initially announced in 2022 and revolves around a collection of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The original plan was for the physical sculptures to land on the moon in July of the same year, with NFTs available through Pace Verso, Pace Gallery’s NFT platform. However, due to various challenges, the launch was repeatedly postponed.
Finally, on February 14, Koons’s “Moons” sculptures were scheduled to be sent to the moon onboard a Falcon 9 rocket in a lunar lander. Each sculpture represents a different phase of the moon and is associated with influential figures from various fields and time periods who have made significant contributions to human life on Earth. Some of these notable figures include Mozart, Galileo, Cleopatra, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The Falcon 9 rocket, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, carried the physical sculptures in a lunar lander called Nova C (Odysseus). This lander, created by Intuitive Machines, a private American aerospace company, is designed to separate from the rocket after takeoff.
The launch faced a minor setback when scientists discovered an issue with the rocket’s methane propellant, causing a delay. However, after resolving the problem, the rocket was ready for liftoff.
Excitement surrounding the project reached its peak when Koons himself took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on February 13. He shared images of the lunar lander and his meticulously crafted moon sculptures being carefully placed into the Falcon 9 rocket.
If all goes according to plan, the lunar lander carrying Koons’s artwork and NASA equipment will reach the moon in approximately nine days. This milestone marks the first authorized artworks to be placed on the moon, a significant achievement for both Koons and the art world as a whole.
Reflecting on his inspiration for the project, Koons shared his childhood memories of President Kennedy’s speeches about going to the moon. He believes that those words instilled a sense of vision and determination in society, inspiring people to believe in themselves and their ability to accomplish great things.
While the physical sculptures make their way to the moon, the other components of “The Moon Phases Project” will remain available for collectors on Earth. These include corresponding NFTs showcasing the installation of the lunar landing and larger versions of each moon sculpture encased in glass, named after historical figures.
Jeff Koons’s “The Moon Phases Project” is a testament to human creativity, innovation, and the enduring power of art. As his sculptures embark on their lunar journey, they not only represent our fascination with space exploration but also serve as a reminder of the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
