In a monumental feat for both art and space exploration, Sacha Jafri’s “We Rise Together with the Light of the Moon” has officially launched to the moon, poised to become the first official artwork to grace the lunar surface. This groundbreaking venture, aboard the United Launch Alliance Vulcan Rocket, marks a pivotal moment in human history, intertwining artistic expression with the audacious ambitions of space exploration.
Jafri’s “We Rise Together with the Light of the Moon”, set within his iconic heart-motif, depicts a reconnected humanity, with two central figures holding hands, entwined with love and empathy, as they rotate within a flourishing new world. This laser-etched masterpiece, protected by a specially designed moon-resilient plate, aims to not only withstand the harsh lunar environment but also serve as a beacon of hope and unity for generations to come.
“The placement of my moon-landed artwork aims to be a symbol for a reconnected humanity,” Jafri expressed, emphasizing the unifying power of art even in the vastness of space. “At night, as our Earth falls into darkness, our only natural light comes from the Moon, but now as it shines its light, it shines with the symbolic message of my moon-landed Artwork, and from the darkness comes the light.”
The 47-year-old Jafri, who holds the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Art Canvas” in the world, added: “My hope is for humanity to reunite as we begin to vibrate at a higher frequency, embrace humility, understand the power of universal consciousness, and realize the fragility of our planet.”
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Jafri, a British national, now looks set to beat Jeff Koons to become the first artist to place the first official work of art on the lunar surface of our moon. The Mission sits alongside the development of Humanity’s first space station within the Artemis program, supported by the recently signed partnership agreement with Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) of the UAE.
This artistic journey, supported by Selenian and Astrobotic in collaboration with NASA’s CLPS initiative, aligns seamlessly with the Artemis program’s vision of returning humanity to the moon.
“We have so much science to learn through CLPS missions that will help us better understand the evolution of our solar system and shape the future of human exploration for the Artemis Generation,” remarked NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson.
This mission, however, isn’t just about artistic triumph. It signifies a new era of accessibility in space exploration, demonstrating that the cosmos is no longer solely the domain of scientists and astronauts.
Jafri’s artwork serves as a beacon, inviting artists and dreamers alike to participate in the grand narrative of space exploration.
“Astrobotic is thrilled to be delivering Sacha Jafri’s historic Artwork to the Moon. We believe space is for everyone, and Sacha’s artwork is the perfect embodiment of that spirit,” said Dan Hendrickson, Vice President of Business Development at Astrobotic. “When the artwork touches down on the surface of the Moon, it will be a powerful reminder of how the arts inspire creative thinking and make our world a better place.”
The landing, currently slated for February 23rd, may pose the challenge of a hard touchdown, a recent update from Astrobotic suggests. However, the artwork’s sturdy construction ensures it will endure the impact and leave its mark on the lunar landscape.
As the world watches with anticipation, the artwork’s expected landing on February 23rd, 2024, promises to be a momentous occasion, not just for art enthusiasts, but for anyone who dares to dream beyond the bounds of our planet.
“Just as Armstrong left the first footprint on the surface of the moon, Selenian is now set to leave the legacy of the moon’s first official artwork by Sacha Jafri on the lunar surface,” said James Khazaei, Co-Founder of Selenian. “Our ultimate goal is to be the gateway portal to Space and the Moon for physical and digital art assets.”
Jafri’s “We Rise Together with the Light of the Moon” is a testament to the enduring power of human creativity, reminding us that even in the darkest of nights, there is always light to guide us, both on Earth and beyond.
