The Only Art on the Moon

The only piece of art on the moon (depending, we suppose, on one’s definition of art) is a 3″-tall aluminum sculpture titled “Fallen Astronaut.” It was created by Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck and installed by Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott, along with a plaque bearing the names of the 14 astronauts and cosmonauts who died in the service of space exploration.

In 1972, against the crew and NASA’s wishes, Van Hoeydonck created 950 signed replicas of “Fallen Astronaut” and sold them for $750 a piece.

* “Articles Carried on Manned Space Flights,” a NASA press release

* For more on isolated art, see The Last Tree of Ténéré. What are some other examples of art in out-of-the-way places? Smithson’s Spiral Jetty… what else?

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