Jeff Koons sculptures A trip on a SpaceX rocket to the moon

American artist Jeff Koons watched a SpaceX rocket carrying 125 of his miniature lunar sculptures and other cargo depart from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida during the early morning on Thursday.

SpaceX estimates that the lunar lander, which was designed by Intuitive Machines and separated from the rocket after liftoff, will reach the moon in about a week if all goes as planned. The lander carries 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,” Coons said in an interview before liftoff. “It has given our community a vision and drive that enables us to believe in ourselves and accomplish things.”

Koons thought his stainless steel sculptures would reach space by the end of 2022, but the project has seen 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 last minute,” Kunz 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 Kunz, who brought the idea to him after seeing a proposal to send artwork to the moon. Digital arts and technology company NFMoon and space exploration company 4Space participated in the project, as well as support from Pace Gallery.

Koons is one of the most celebrated artists in the United States, and his emotional sculptures have impressed 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 during a Christie's auction. The 1986 sculpture, which was made to look like a balloon rabbit, has become one of the best-selling works of art by a contemporary artist.

The artist said that the launch of his mini-satellites was only in the first stage. Two other components of the project will remain on Earth: a larger, glass-encased version of each sculpture that collectors can take home, and a corresponding NFT showing the moon landing installation.

The moons are named after inspirational historical figures. “Leonardo da Vinci, Ada Lovelace, Plato, Billie Holiday,” Koons said, listing examples.

Other artists have tried to conquer space, but their artwork disappears in its vastness. Trevor Paglen launched a $1.5 million satellite called “Orbital reflector“In 2018, in collaboration with the Nevada Museum of Art. But the project quickly fell victim to a government shutdown that prevented engineers from staying connected to the satellite.

If the lunar lander carrying Koons' sculptures reaches its destination, it will be the first authorized Artwork on the moon. Kunz believes it will remain forever as a heritage site According to the Artemis Accordswhich protects important historical sites and artifacts in outer space.