– I am a classic dreamer. I have laid down many times and looked up at the moon and wondered how the universe is connected. I don’t think we are alone, says Frøydis Aarseth. The artist was educated in Florence, where she learned the techniques of Rembrandt and Da Vinci. But even these masters could not have dreamed of what Aarseth is about to achieve. The picture she made will be stored on the moon forever. – It will be a time machine for the future, a museum on the moon. It is a very good idea to show what we humans can create, says Aarseth. CONTEMPORARY ART: Frøydis Aarseth is a figurative artist educated in Florence. She uses classical techniques to paint modern motifs. Photo: priv 30,000 artists It all started with an international art competition, where Aarseth was one of many winners. She thought that the prize was “only” to exhibit the winning work at Sotheby’s in New York. – The fact that it was also going to the moon was a positive surprise, says Aarseth. The painting will be part of “The Lunar Codex”, a collection of contemporary art to be stored on the moon. Aarseth is one of 30,000 artists from 158 countries who are taking part. STORAGE: “MikroFiche” is the predecessor of “NanoFiche” and the way they both store information is similar. Photo: Skjermbump The collection consists of music, photos, films, poetry, magazines and podcasts. This should not be physically placed on the moon, but should be stored on a digital memory card or an analogue “NanoFiche”. “NanoFiche” are tiny metal plates, on which the art has been engraved using a laser. Since it is so small, you need optical tools to be able to see the art. LONG LIFETIME: “NanoFiche” is nickel-based and weighs less than its gold predecessor. It has a lifespan of hundreds of thousands of years. Photo: Screenshot – Inspired by the war Aarseth’s artwork is rooted in current themes. – It shows a woman hiding, where her fingers stick out and you see her eyes peering out, cautiously. The artist says that the picture is inspired by Ukraine and those who had to find temporary shelter. Back to the moon The idea for the art project came about when NASA began to privatize the landing craft. It made it possible for private individuals to buy payload space, storage space in the spacecraft. So did Samuel Peralta, a physicist and author from Canada. In recent years, he has spent all his time contacting galleries and others in the art world to collect content for the project. – This will be the first landing craft from the USA in over 50 years. It is an incredible opportunity, writes Peralta to news. Moonmen The Lunar Codex project is far from the first time we humans have sent art into the universe. The most famous example is the gold plate sent with Voyager-1, the space probe that became the most distant man-made object in the universe. It featured music in all genres, from Beethoven to Chuck Berry. BEETHOVEN ON THE MOON: The gold plate on board Voyager 1. Photo: NASA During the Apollo 12 journey, pictures from, among others, Andy Warhol were included in the cargo. But! Men only. No women. That will end when The Lunar Codex takes its place on the surface of the moon. – It is the first time that female art has been sent to the moon. I think it’s about time. We must have equality on all levels, says Aarseth. Now all that remains is the wait before Aarseth can follow art’s journey towards the moon from the TV screen. – It is special to think that future beings can find the time capsules and see what humans created. What creativity exists here, she says.
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The art of Frøydis will be stored on the moon – news Culture and entertainment
