At the beginning of this commemorative-moon-landing year I was told that if I could get myself to the Moon safely and sustainably, I would be entitled to take up my longed-for role of Artist in Residence on the Moon. After months of study, and late nights in the workshop, I now believe it’s actually going to happen.
I have designed and built a model of my lunar lander and it’s not only sustainable, but it’s organic, locally-produced, hand crafted and fuelled by the most powerful engine ever known to humankind: The Imagination. The question I keep asking myself now is will it bring me safely back to Earth. I’m hoping the answer will be yes, but as all astronauts say, you cannot expect to come back unchanged.
I studied the Apollo Mission, the planetary orbits and trajectories, our changing atmosphere including the quantity of CO2 in the air, as well as the temperatures and pressures that the capsule will need to withstand. Of particular concern was the potential for it to catch fire given that the speed of the Mind has been known to travel at 99.999% of the speed of Light. Thankfully I have been advised that, in my case, this will not be a problem.
Technical details:
Structural base: Willow, hand-grown at Mission Control in Tairgwaith.
Main material: papier mache, carefully selected waste paper from local offices – soaked and pulped.
Lining: sheepswool from Jakob, Olly and Spot at Cwm Farm.
On September 22nd, I will begin the 12-day build of the full-sized lunar lander in Oriel Lliw, Pontardawe Arts Centre. As time is tight (Apollo had a lot longer to get theirs together), I would really appreciate help. Please come along and help me get the capsule ready for lift off on 4th October at 20:00 hours Pontardawe Time.
If you’d like to get involved in either the build or to visit me on the moon, email me: emily@myphone.coop or check back here for more details of my schedule.
