Objective moon. Contemporary artist Jeff Koons, well known for his large-format pop and kitsch works, hasn’t finished surprising. At 67, he plans to send sculptures to the moon.
This was announced at the end of the day yesterday by the Pace gallery, with which the artist is entering the world of NFTs. “I have always liked the idea of creating global art (…) now it becomes universal,” noted the artist, on the site dedicated to this ambitious project.
For now, the project remains mysterious. Neither the artist nor the gallery have given details of the works they plan to send. They could however be small in size, since they will travel in miniature CubeSat satellites, measuring 10 cm on a side, report in a press release Pace Verso, 4Space, NFMoon and Intuitive machines, partners of this artistic space operation.
One shipment within the year from the United States
Baptized Moon Phase, the project, which consists of sending a “sculpture group”, is planned “later in the year”, they specify, without revealing the number of works which will travel between the blue planet and the Moon. Each of the sculptures will be attached to an NFT, a unique digital version certified by blockchain technology, which will be sold on Earth, Pace Gallery reported. She also specifies that part of the funds will be donated to the association Médecins sans frontières.
If the launch date is still unknown, this artistic convoy will take off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, as part of a “fully autonomous” mission aboard Intuitive Machines landers, the gallery said. The American company is already working with NASA.
An emblematic figure of contemporary art, Jeff Koons holds the sales record for a living artist. In May 2019, his sculpture “Rabbit”, was sold for 91 million dollars, or nearly 82 million euros, at auction organized by Christie’s in New York.
Over the course of his career, the American artist has exhibited his kitsch XXL sculptures all over the planet, from the MoMa to the Center Pompidou, sometimes creating controversy, as in 2008 on the occasion of a temporary exhibition at the Palace of Versailles and more. recently with his “Bouquet of tulips” installed in the gardens of the Champs Elysées.