Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

Conveying movement in a drawing can always be tricky. And if you’re trying to depict racing cars, emulating a sense of speed is key to breathing life into the subject. German artist Ioann Zelenin has found a clever way to achieve this, imbuing his already detailed charcoal drawings with a cinematic quality. By working with a wood stick covered in rubber bits to cleverly blur the lines in his compositions, Zelenin creates the illusion of speed.

While it has become a reliable tool for Zelenin, the stick's origins are not that glamorous. “I just use a frame stick that I tore from my bed,” he explained in an Instagram comment. The rubber stick held the bed's wooden sheathing, but the artist found that it's great for erasing and smudging the charcoal. “There is rubber there to hold everything in place, this rubber lubricates the coal.”

With this, his car drawings have been elevated to dynamic speed art. Classic vehicles zoom past forests and desert landscapes, while racing cars aim for first place. “When you’re on the track, and your speedometer reads such a velocity that objects and items around you become a blur, everything passes by so swiftly that you feel the very essence of speed,” writes the artist. “In that moment, there’s nothing but you and the car, racing through space.”

Having mastered his unorthodox tool, Zelenin has taken his creative practice to the next level. He captured a picture of his drawing after every swipe, which he then later stitched together to create a stop-motion video. By detaching certain pieces of rubber, he creates the effect of the vehicle speeding as the wind blows around it while the wheels pick up dust.

To stay up to date with his vibrant car art, make sure to follow Zelenin on Instagram. You can also find prints and original sketches of his work on his website.

German artist Ioann Zelenin has found a clever way to imbue his car charcoal drawings with a cinematic quality.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

By working with a wood stick covered in rubber bits to cleverly blur the lines in his compositions, Zelenin creates the illusion of speed.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

“I just use a frame stick that I tore from my bed,” he explained. “There is rubber there to hold everything in place, this rubber lubricates the coal.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

With this, his car drawings have been elevated to dynamic speed art.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

Classic vehicles zoom past forests and desert landscapes, while racing cars aim for first place.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

Having mastered his unorthodox tool, Zelenin then took his creative practice to the next level.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por NISMO (@nismo)

He captured a picture of his drawing after every swipe, which he later stitched together to create a stop-motion video.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por NISMO (@nismo)

“When you’re on the track, and your speedometer reads such a velocity that objects and items around you become a blur, everything passes by so swiftly that you feel the very essence of speed.”

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Ioann Zelenin (@zeleninart)

Ioann Zelenin: Website | Instagram

Related Articles:

Nigerian Artist’s Hyperrealistic Charcoal Portraits Perfectly Mirror His Real-life Subjects

Learn the Basics of Charcoal Drawing To Capture the Intensity of Life With Art

Artist Only Draws the Light Cast on Women in These Stunning Charcoal and Pastel Portraits

10 Best Charcoal Pencil Sets For Artists of Every Skill Level

READ: Artist Cleverly Conveys Speed in Charcoal Drawings With a Unique Tool He Made Himself

Textile artist Rianne Aarts of art studio Teddy and Wool specializes in crafting woven wall hangings. Using only natural materials in her work, such as hand-spun wool, cotton cords, and non-toxic dyes and pigments, Aarts creates gorgeous pieces of textile art. From depictions of rolling hills to glowing suns, much of her work is clearly inspired by the peace and beauty of nature.

“Ever since I was young I always felt the need to create things of beauty,” the artist admits. “That need slowly turned into passion and that passion is what drives me to create art.”

Aarts, who is based in the Netherlands, started Teddy and Wool in 2016, creating small macramé wall hangings and plant hangers that she would sell on Etsy to help support herself as she worked towards her law degree. Since then, the business has grown significantly. She now owns a small art studio and leads a team of three creative women, who also work on wall hangings. Over the years, she and her team have created over 6,000 wall hangings and have been commissioned by a wide variety of interior designers from big name brands such as Google, Starbucks, and several major hotel chains. Most notably, one of her wall hangings was featured in the blockbuster film Sonic 2.

Her next collection is titled REFRAMED and will feature a total of nine fiber wall hangings. The name is inspired by Aart's 2022 collection, FRAMED, which utilized carefully dyed and placed strings to create beautiful gradient and geometric patterns surrounded by wooden frames.

“The past year or two there’s been quite a bit of interest in these framed fiber artworks and I’ve sold all pieces multiple times, so it only made sense to continue with these as I also really enjoy creating them,” Aarts tells My Modern Met. “The new framed fiber artworks will all be landscape pieces, some colorful, others minimalistic or dark, each inspired by nature.”

If you are interested in learning more about Aarts’ creative process and keeping up with her work, you can follow her on Facebook or Instagram. If you are interested in owning one of her wall hangings for yourself, check out her online store and take a short quiz to get matched to a piece of art that is perfect for your space.

Rianne Aarts (of Teddy and Wool) is a textile artist known for her stunning macramé wall hangings.

All of the materials that she uses are natural, from her dyes to the fibers themselves.

Her newest collection, titled REFRAMED, will feature carefully dyed and arranged fiber strands encased in gorgeous wooden frames.

Those interested in learning about Aarts’ creative process are in luck, as she has several behind-the-scenes videos on her Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rianne Aarts (@teddyandwool)

Teddy and Wool: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Rianne Aarts/Teddy and Wool.

Related Articles:

Dip-Dyed Macrame Wall Hangings Add a Modern Pop of Color to Any Room

Massive Woven Wall Hangings Modernize the Ancient Art of Weaving

Sister Duo Weaves Textured Wall Hangings Inspired by Australian Landscapes

Rainbow Macramé Wall Hangings Dazzle With Intricate Knots of All Kinds

READ: Beautiful Macramé Wall Hangings Mimic Colorful Gradients Found in Nature

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Portals.org (@portals_org)

When you hear the word “portal,” images of fantasy or science-fiction books probably come to mind. And while portals may not be naturally occurring in our world, technology has provided us with the opportunity to create things that used to only exist in the pages of storybooks.

Portal is one of these creations. Aptly named, it is a new public installation that will be located at the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street this spring. It will broadcast live video from Dublin, Ireland, into New York City. At the same time, another portal will be set up in Dublin that will live stream footage from New York City, connecting the viewers at both locations.

Benediktas Gylys, a Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur, is the mastermind behind the portals. He is passionate about creating projects that connect humanity and advertise our similarities at a time when we are increasingly divided. According to Portal‘s website, “Portals are an invitation to meet fellow humans above borders and prejudices and to experience our home—planet Earth—as it really is: united and one.”

This set of portals is far from the first one that the organization has worked on. Currently, they have a pair located in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland, that were set up in 2021 as an homage to Gylys' home country. Their website also houses a form where you can write about why your city should have a portal installed in it.

For more on the Portal project, check out its website and Instagram.

A real-life portal will be built in New York City and Dublin in the spring, and will live stream video between both locations.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Portals.org (@portals_org)

The first pair of portals were installed in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Lublin, Poland, in 2021.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Portals.org (@portals_org)

Portal: Website | Instagram | YouTube
Benediktas Gylys: Website | Instagram | Facebook
h/t: [TimeOut]

Related Articles:

Mesmerizing “Portals” Made from Multi-Layered Colors Mimic Our Beautifully Mystifying World

NASA’s Mars Curiosity Rover Photographs a Mysterious “Alien Portal”

Optical Illusion Graffiti Creates Portal to a Parallel Universe on the Side of a Building

READ: Giant Portal Near Flatiron Building Connects People From New York City and Dublin

For many, pianos are more than simple musical instruments, especially for those who have one at home. But once they decay and become unplayable, saying goodbye can feel like sending a beloved heirloom to a landfill. Fortunately, Australian sculptor David Cox has come up with an alternative that sees this beautiful instrument rise from the ashes—figuratively. The artist turns the keys and other parts from broken-down pianos into sweeping phoenix-shaped sculptures.

Cox shares how he's inspired by architectural salvage and recycling of hard-to-come-by materials, especially when they are charged with history. “Many of our most treasured, sentimental memories reside within objects we adore,” he tells My Modern Met. “I honor and preserve those memories shared with loved ones around the piano by delicately repurposing its parts into a wall sculpture, reclaiming its place as the heart of the home. (Also it’s about 200kg lighter).”

Though his pieces are now revered, Cox's transformative art began almost by accident. A singer friend of his was building a recording studio, and wanted a fun work of art that would double as a sound baffle. Having a set of vintage piano keys in his studio, Cox thought of gluing them together. However, the design he had in mind wasn't coming along. “I soon discovered that piano keys aren't straight, they're kind of dog-legged,” he recalls. “So one summer afternoon I was playing around with different shapes, and when I saw the wing shape emerging, it became obvious what this needed to be.”

Now, he's made over 50 of these phoenix sculptures, both for customers wanting to convert their own piano, as well as those who just want one on their wall. The latter get to choose from the pieces Cox has on hand, though it is less common. “Almost every piece is made custom for each buyer, with their own decor and personal interests in mind, to make the sculpture completely bespoke,” he says. “So after a chat over a cup of tea, I feel I can make a piece of art that honors the piano the keys came from, as well as the home it is going in to.”

To Cox, it seems like everyone in Australia seems to have an old and no longer functioning piano. “They are hugely sentimental items, but are inevitably broken and on the way out,” he shares. This luckily has earned him some word of mouth, with people shipping him piano keys from all over the country. After outlining the design with the owner, he can have a sculpture ready in a few weeks. “However I always hang each piece on my lounge room wall for a week, to stare at it until I’m satisfied it’s perfect and finished!” the artist admits.

While at first glance his pieces may look similar, every sculpture possesses unique and meaningful details. “Each one is very different to the previous, with each customer sharing different stories they remember of Nanna teaching them to play, or fun family times shared around the piano,” Cox shares. “They are all as special as each other, however it can get emotional for everyone when I hang a piece on a customer's wall and everyone is crying, it’s a touching moment to be a part of. I guess those more emotional unveilings are my favorites.”

To stay up to date with Cox's phoenix upcycled piano sculptures, you can follow him on Instagram.

Australian artist David Cox turns the keys and other parts from pianos into phoenix-shaped sculptures.

“One summer afternoon I was playing around with different shapes, and when I saw the wing shape emerging, it became obvious what this needed to be.”

Now, he's made over 50 of these phoenix sculptures, both for customers wanting to convert their own piano, as well as others who just want one on their wall.

Cox shares how he's inspired by architectural salvage and recycling of hard-to-come-by materials, especially when they are charged with history.

“Many of our most treasured sentimental memories reside within objects we adore.”

“I honor and preserve those memories shared with loved ones around the piano by delicately repurposing its parts into a wall sculpture, reclaiming its place as the heart of the home.”

David Cox: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by David Cox.

Related Articles:

Realistically Carved Octopus Joins Together Two Pianos To Form One Surreal Sculpture

Vintage Typewriters Are Taken Apart and Reassembled Into Movable Bird Sculptures

This Marvelous Vintage Music Machine Plays a Piano and 3 Violins At The Same Time

Lebanese Artist Creates Powerful Sculpture From the Ashes of Beirut Port Explosion [Interview]

READ: Artist Gives Vintage Pianos a Second Life by Turning Them Into Sweeping Phoenix Sculptures

While many of us have only become familiar with AI over the past year or so, artist Refik Anadol has been using the technology for years to create immersive installations. Now, his studio is releasing its most ambitious project yet: the Large Nature Model, the world's first open-source generative AI model dedicated to nature.

Under development for DATALAND, Refik Anadol Studio's future museum and Web3 platform dedicated to data visualization and AI art, The Large Nature Model is trained on billions of open-source nature images. Interestingly, the model isn't just for visuals; it can also produce sound and scent elements.

“Blending art, technology, and nature, our model aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire innovative solutions by finding connections among isolated archives,” shares Anadol. “By engaging people on multiple sensory levels, the outputs of the model make the abstract concept of environmental conservation tangible, encouraging a collective responsibility to act.”

“Coral Dreams” at the Serpentine Gallery.

Anadol presented the model at the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference, where he transformed a 65-foot by 131-foot wall into a live AI data sculpture. Fed with 2.5 million ethically sourced nature images, the wall exploded with visuals that show the model's endless creative possibilities.

The conference is not the only place where the Large Nature Model is on display. At London's Serpentine Gallery, Anadol's Echoes of the Earth: Living Archive shows his years-long experimentation with data on coral reefs and rainforests. On view until April 7, visitors are in for a multi-sensory experience that will deepen their love of nature.

“The dream is to help gallery visitors grasp the unseen yet incredible role of data in our worlds,” shared Anadol in an interview with long-time mentor, art critic Hans Ulrich Obrist. “I believe people will feel enveloped by the data, the richness of information, and the overwhelming beauty found within nature.

“This project is not about mimicking or replacing nature, it's about appreciating, loving, and respecting nature. We’re not replacing nature, we’re preserving it.”

Refik Anadol Studio has announced the Large Nature Model, the world's first open-source generative AI model dedicated to nature.

Using ethically sourced data, the model can generate nature-related imagery, sounds, and scents.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

At the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference, Anadol used the model to transform an enormous wall into a live AI data sculpture.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

The model is also incorporated into work at Anadol's exhibition at the Serpentine Gallery.

“This project is not about mimicking or replacing nature, it's about appreciating, loving, and respecting nature. We’re not replacing nature, we’re preserving it.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Refik Anadol (@refikanadol)

Refik Anadol: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Vimeo

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Refik Anadol.

Related Articles:

Refik Anadol and BVLGARI Reveal Immersive Installation Created With AI

Media Artist Refik Anadol on His AI-Driven Artwork Redefining Space [Podcast]

Undulating Art Installation Made Up of Publicly Sourced Images Takes Over the Las Vegas Sphere

Dynamic Art Installation Uses AI To Turn 200 Million Nature Images Into a Mesmerizing 3D Visual Experience

READ: Refik Anadol Announces World’s First AI Model Dedicated to Nature

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

With its stunning spirals and psychedelic swirls, fluid art (aka paint pouring or Dutch pouring) is a hypnotic art form that an artist known simply as Maike may have perfected. By using watery acrylic paint, the artist is able to pour and manipulate the direction of the liquid. This allows her to somewhat dictate the composition of her seemingly spontaneous abstract paintings. Despite the ultimate abstraction of her paintings, there are clear influences from nature in her design; floral inspiration is particularly evident. Some of Maike's paint pours are also reminiscent of the long, glowing oral arms of tropical jellyfish.

The Germany-based fluid artist starts every piece by covering her canvas in a base lather of acrylic paint. Then, she carefully pours colored paint on top of a canvas, creating wavy lines and swirls. Before it can dry, Maike uses a hair dryer and blows over the paint, causing it to spread out and form a marbled look for the final product. The artist normally mixes solid colors with metallic ones, especially gold and silver, giving many of her paintings a shimmering look.

Each finished painting is a stunning amalgamation of color, skill, and time-sensitive labor. Equally as impressive (if not more so) is the technique behind Maike's portfolio of work. Lucky for us, she shares her creative process through videos on Instagram. It is mesmerizing to watch her projects from start to finish, especially as the different colors of paint dance across the canvas, bleeding into or moving beside one another.

Scroll down to see some of Maike's most spellbinding pieces and be sure to follow her on Instagram for even more.

Germany-based artist Maike specializes in swirling acrylic paint pours.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

Using runny acrylic paint and a hair dryer, this fluid artist is able to create gorgeous abstract paintings that often look like floral designs.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

Her paintings are equal parts elegant and psychedelic as the paint swirls around the canvas and blends together.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

Each painting that Maike creates exudes a level of elegance and beauty while being entirely a one-of-a-kind piece.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mixed Media & Fluid Art by Maike (@maicrylic_arts)

Maike: Instagram

Related Articles:

1,000 Lines of Colorful Paint Pool into Mesmerizing Puddles at the Venice Biennale

Energetic Drip Paintings Imagine a Future Where Cities and Nature Are One

Fluid Art: How to Start Acrylic Pouring & Create Psychedelic Abstract Paintings

READ: Artist Shares Hypnotic Process of Creating Mesmerizing Fluid Art

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira brings his incredible installations based on nature to Australia. Fairy Tales is an exhibition at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art that brings together the work of international visual storytellers and invites them to ruminate on the stories that influence our youth. For the show, Oliveira was tasked with transforming the entryway and did so by creating a twisted, gnarled forest that brings visitors into the realm of fairy tales.

The installation, titled Corupira, takes its name from a mythical creature of the Brazilian forest. In folklore, this devilish creature from the Tupi-Guarani myth has red hair that can ignite into flames. It also has backward feet, so when it walks, it makes false footprints to confuse people moving through the woods. For Oliveira's installation, enormous trunks burst forth from the white walls of the gallery and sprawl across the room. The twisting branches create a maze designed to appeal to the senses and force visitors to watch their steps.

“I’ve tried to create an environment that you have a different relationship with the space and somehow you are back to watch(ing) out. If you don’t look up, you’re gonna hit your head on a branch,” he shares. “Get back to your senses. I think that’s something the world misses today.”

Created using plywood, tapumes—or fencing—veneers, and tree branches, Corupira is a fitting welcome to the exhibition. Oliveira's interest in wood developed out of his painting practice as he slowly became curious about three-dimensional works and how they shape space.  As he broke down pieces of wood, the splintered edges reminded him of brushstrokes. Now, he uses that technique to build up installations that are impressive in their size and scale.

You can catch Corupira at the Gallery of Modern Art until the closing of Fairy Tales on April 28, 2024.

Brazilian artist Henrique Oliveira transformed the entrance of a group exhibition called Fairy Tales into a twisted forest.

The exhibition is taking place at Brisbane's Gallery of Modern Art.

Titled Corupira, the work is inspired by an impish forest devil from Brazilian folklore.

Learn more about how Oliveira developed the incredible art installation.

Watch this timelapse to see the gallery completely transform.

Henrique Oliveira: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Henrique Oliveira.

Related Articles:

Tree Trunks Burst Through Gallery Walls

Surreal Tree Branches Sprout Out from Indoor Support Beams

Incredible Man-Made Tunnels Formed with Wires & Repurposed Wood

READ: Artist Transforms Gallery Into a Fairy Tale Forest of Twisted Trees

Photo: Ben Rosser

For two decades, artist Zaria Forman has committed herself to creating art that speaks to Earth's changing climate. Specifically, her enormous pastel drawings of polar ice and the Arctic landscape highlight the urgency needed to counteract the warming of the planet. In her new exhibition Fellsfjara, Iceland, Forman looks closely at the polar ice that has accumulated on Iceland's black sand beaches.

Her large-scale drawings show this ice under a magnifying lens and render it in magnificent detail. The work is reminiscent of classic still-life art in that it honors an inanimate object and highlights its inherent characteristics. At the same time, it also addresses its fragility.

During her trips to Fellsfjara, which is located on Iceland's southeastern coast, Forman stumbled upon ancient, compressed ice. Enthralled by its complexity and clarity, she set about immortalizing all of the cracks, bubbles, and distortions that tell the story of its history.

“In close-up views of glacial ice set against the velvety richness of churning Arctic waters and black sand, these works add to Forman’s career-long contemplation of light and ice; of humanity and nature; of time spent and time left,” shares gallery Winston Wächter, which is hosting the show in its New York location. “Forman offers a nuanced clarion call, encouraging viewers to notice, appreciate, and protect the earth’s most vulnerable landscapes.”

The work, which was first previewed in Reykjavik last year, is a stunning evolution of Forman's art and a continued demonstration of how artists can work to effect change. Fellsfjara, Iceland, is currently on view in New York City at Winston Wächter Fine Art until May 4, 2024.

Fellsfjara, Iceland is a new set of large-scale pastel drawings by artist Zaria Forman.

Based on the polar ice she found washed up on Iceland's black sand beaches, the drawings show the ice's fragility.

This is the latest evolution of Forman's art, which has, for two decades, focused on climate change and the Arctic landscape.

Zaria Forman: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Winston Wächter Fine Art.

Related Articles:

Majestic Pastel Drawings Explore the Beauty of a Glacier in Patagonia

Pastel Artist Captures America’s Most Beautiful Landscapes en Plein Air

New Hyperrealistic Pastel Drawings by Zaria Forman Capture the Spirit of Antarctica

Hyperrealistic Pastel Drawings Reveal How Climate Change Is Making Arctic Ice Move

READ: Zaria Forman’s Latest Pastel Drawings Highlight the Fragility of Polar Ice

In late February 2024, history was made when the first female-led space company, 4SPACE, took Jeff Koons‘ art to the Moon. The successful launch makes Koons the first artist to have authorized artwork on the lunar surface and everything came together thanks to the vision of 4SPACE founder Chantelle Baier.

Baier founded 4SPACE as a vehicle to bridge non-traditional space companies with the space industry. Under her leadership, 4SPACE has achieved the first authorized art gallery to be sent to the Moon in 2024, a significant milestone in the footprints on the Moon. And it seems fitting that Koons, a pioneer of the contemporary art world, would be the first creative to hold this honor.

Jeff Koons: Moon Phases comprises 125 unique artworks, each consisting of three components: a sculpture that was installed on the Moon, a sculpture that stays on Earth, and an NFT that corresponds with the sculptures on the Moon and the Earth. The 125 miniature stainless steel Moon Phase sculptures are currently displayed on the Moon in a cube, which was designed and built by 4SPACE in consultation with Koons.

“The Moon Phase artworks are associated with individuals who made important accomplishments in human history,” 4SPACE revealed in a written statement. “The list of names is universal, from various cultures throughout the world, fields, and time periods. Displayed in front of each artwork, the names memorialize the figures. In this way, Koons honors some of the greatest achievements of the past to inspire future generations.”

The work made its way into space via the Intuitive Machines Nova-C lunar lander, Odysseus, named after the hero of Homer's Greek epic. The Nova-C is part of NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center.

When Odysseus touched down on the lunar surface, it became the first successful U.S. moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. And it is the first time that a privately owned spacecraft has successfully landed.

We had a chance to speak with Baier about this momentous occasion and what it means to her, as well as what it took to make this outer space art gallery come to life. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview.

What sparked your initial love of space?

I was born in the land of the living sky in Canada, where there was no light pollution, and I was surrounded by the vastness of trillions of twinkling stars in the sky. We would spend a lot of time stargazing, so naturally I dreamt of going to the Moon since I was a kid. I began to realize NASA has led to wonderful advancements that help us here on Earth, and I began to learn how important space is for our future. The idea of exploration beyond Earth’s gravity and traveling the Moon and Mars ignited my curiosity to learn more about space and the earth.

Photo: David Bellman

What motivated you to start 4SPACE?

I was encouraged by a mentor of mine, Dr. Chris McKay, to set up 4SPACE to hone in on my diverse skillset that ranges from technical knowledge to the entertainment/fashion industry. 4SPACE was set up as a vehicle to bring non-traditional space companies into the space industry. With this non-linear way of thinking, our focus is on commercializing the space industry by incorporating branding, marketing, and outside-of-the-box ways of approaching traditional industries.

What accomplishment are you most proud of since 4SPACE was founded?

We just became the first woman-owned company on the Moon. We also became the first company to place a clear art gallery with Jeff Koons Moon Phases statues on the Moon on board the Intuitive Machines Lunar Lander that successfully landed on February 22, 2024.

Photo: Chris Farina

How did you become involved in the Jeff Koons project?

In 2021, I contacted a small company that had just won an award from NASA to go to the Moon. Their mission had scientific NASA payloads, and I had an idea for a project to be placed on the Moon. The lunar lander didn’t have enough power for our payload, so I had to redesign a powerless payload. My investor had a great relationship with Jeff Koons' son Sean, and we commissioned him to design 125 statues.

What type of research went into creating the display for his art?

Extensive work in many different areas spanning material research, adhesives that would survive the trip to the Moon, space radiation, lunar environment, and analysis.

What type of work went into getting permission to leave something like this on the Moon?

Currently, there aren’t any permissions per se. It is our ethos to think of sustainability, scientific relevance, marketing, commercializing, and the return on investment in a circular way of thinking in every project. We understand the rare opportunity we have, we know these projects will be placed on the Moon and remain there forever, so we want them to have scientific relevance, paired with new ways of marketing, branding, and connecting our everyday lives to the Moon. Our approach is to ensure multiple facets of success in each project that positively support the space industry, NASA objectives, and what’s relevant to our partners whether it be artists, brands, you name it.

How does it feel to have 4SPACE involved in such a groundbreaking project?

Out of this world. It’s truly an honor to be a part of this historic mission to the Moon and to have had such a cultural impact and footprint.

What do you hope that people take away from this work?

I hope to inspire a new way of thinking. I hope to show the world that you can dream and achieve your goals no matter what challenges you face. I came from very modest roots, and I believe we need to support each other and work together to create a better world here on Earth. Utilizing the new opportunities that the Space Industry has to offer, everyone brings hope to us here on Earth. New ways of exploring that open up new jobs and hopefully a bright future.

If I can take a world famous artist and put his work on the Moon… please take my word, there is a new industry coming and it’s the space industry.

4SPACE: Website

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by 4SPACE.

Related Articles:

Japan Becomes Fifth Country to Successfully Land on the Moon

Watch These “Outtakes” of NASA Astronauts Struggling To Walk on the Moon

Mexico Sends Five Small Robots to Deep Space on Its First Ever Moon Mission

India Makes History as the First Country to Land on the South Pole of the Moon

READ: Female Space Pioneer Makes History By Sending Jeff Koons’ Art to the Moon [Interview]

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Banksy Archive (@banksy_archive)

The north London neighborhood of Finsbury Park woke up to an artsy surprise on St. Patrick's Day. Elusive artist Banksy struck again, creating a mural on the side of an otherwise unremarkable building. Mostly made up of cleverly placed drips of green paint on a wall, the work interacts with a severely pruned tree in the foreground, making it look like it's been brought back to life.

Banksy confirmed the authenticity of the mural via Instagram after crowds began to gather around the piece of street art. The artist shared a “before” image of the tree with its sawed off branches against the wall behind it with gray painting peeling off. The “after” photo dramatically alters the scene, making the tree look like a thriving willow.

Like most Banksy pieces, the mural features a stencil. Here, a person holding a sprayer wand and covered in green paint gazes upwards towards the tree. James Peak, creator of The Banksy Story, told the BBC that the green paint used in the mural matches the shade used by Islington Council for signs in the area—a testament to Banksy's eye for detail.

“When you step back it looks like the tree is bursting to life, but in a noticeably fake and synthetic way,” Peak explained. The expert believes that Banksy must have noticed the tree and, seeing its desolate appearance, decided to give it back its leaves in the lead up to spring. “If you go way back to the beginning of his work, he is always looking for something he can do with minimum effort to make something look really cool.”

As with other Banksy works, the public has found different meanings to it. While some have seen it as a message about the role of mankind in restoring nature, others have perceived the artificiality of the tree as a commentary on greenwashing, a practice in which large corporations offer incomplete or misleading information about their environmental impact.

While other Banksy works have been stolen shortly after their authenticity is confirmed, this one seems to be safe from theft. The placement of the tree is key to the mural, making it not that worthy without one of its parts. As for the building's owner, he has said that he plans to keep the mural up, and that the building is currently vacant and available for rent.

Ultimately, those who call Finsbury Park home are thrilled that the artist chose their neighborhood to house one of his works. According to Islington councillor Flora Williamson, the mural is located in one of the poorest parts of the borough, and its addition has brought life to the area. For Wanja Sellers, who lives just a few buildings down from the mural, this development has been delightful. “It feels like a personal message to us residents,”she said. “We just feel so proud.”

Banksy has revealed a new mural in London, in which he brings a pruned tree back to life with green paint.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Banksy Archive (@banksy_archive)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Banksy Archive (@banksy_archive)

The artist confirmed the authenticity of the mural with an Instagram post.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Banksy (@banksy)

As for the building's owner, he has said that he plans to keep the mural up, and that the building is currently vacant and available for rent.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Banksy Archive (@banksy_archive)

Banksy: Website | Instagram
h/t: [NPR]

Related Articles:

“Lost” Banksy Mural is Restored and Placed for Auction

Two Men Arrested After Stealing Banksy Installation in Broad Daylight

Banksy’s Real First Name Was Revealed by the Artist in Recently Uncovered 2003 Interview

Ukraine Releases Banksy Mural Stamp To Mark One Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion

READ: New Banksy Mural in London Brings a Pruned Tree Back to Life With Green Paint