October 3rd 2024

We Are Going to the Moon!

When I started this project if someone would have ever told me that this painting would be a part of a project that is sending images of art to the moon, it would not have made sense to me and it still doesn’t register in my thoughts.

Let me catch you up.

A couple of days after Charles called to say that the painting had been picked as a Semi-Finalist at Art Renewal Center’s 17^th International Salon he called again because he received this email.

The paragraph that caught his attention was this one.
“This year, the semifinalists will not only be displayed on the ARC website, but also be included in the Lunar Codex. The lunar codex is a set of time capsules launched on three NASA-related missions, including the works of 7000 creatives. It will be the first significant placement of contemporary arts on the moon in 50 years.”

The next email that came in was this one.

The Best of Him image is going to the moon in September of 2025. It is going to be part of Polaris a multimedia archive based on nickel foil….

To learn more about the Lunar Codex check out their website. https://www.lunarcodex.com/

Charles is pretty excited about this opportunity to have a couple of pieces of his art and works go to the moon. I am excited too. I never would have thought that this would happen. I believe I might have to watch the launch in September 2025.

When I started this project after my dad’s passing I did it with very few expectations. I just knew I needed to grieve, and I needed to find a way to connect with the best parts of who he was as a father and human. Each time a new opportunity to share the painting or talk to someone about it arrives I find an opportunity to put new words around my relationship with him and to speak those words out into the world. That for me is the most healing part of this whole journey. I don’t know where this experience is going to lead me. The goal was to create a memory, grieve, connect, and let go. So far, I think this painting and its journey continue to do that day in and day out.

I’ll keep you updated on the trip to the moon as it comes in.

Thanks, and peace to you on your journey.

JoyGenea