Permanent Installation completed October 2023
This piece, designed and installed by Sophie Adams in collaboration with Fiske Planetarium, features a 14 x 24-foot mural depicting a stylized yet scientifically accurate scene of an Apollo 17 astronaut (Gene Cernan) walking across the surface of the MoonÌýtowards the distant Milky Way.ÌýThe mural is accompanied by an inset 2 x 4 x 7-foot interactive sculpture, featuring animated lights and fiber optics that mimic the structure and movement of a rocket ship base. This addition, in its placement above you, is intended to transport you to the lunar surface, inviting you to embark on your very own exploration of our Moon.
These works set the scene for the display of a genuine spacesuit from the Apollo 14 mission (to your left) and in-flight engineering attire (to your right) generously lent to this exhibition by NASA. The depictions of the Earth, the Milky Way, and each star are accurate in their placement and phase, corresponding to the final day of the Apollo 17 mission on December 14th, 1974. The namesake originates fromÌýCernan's final transmission as he embarked on departure, which have remained the last words spoken by a human standing on the lunar surface to date. This installation aims to honor the historical exploration of our Moon while simultaneously celebrating lunar expeditions to come.
Artist Bio:ÌýSophie (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist working within the fluidity of art, technology, and science. Currently based out of Boston, Massachusetts, she specializes in painting, fiber arts, and photography. She has gained widespread acclaim across multiple disciplines and garnered support from renowned institutions including NASA and NSF. Her work can be found showcased nationwide.
Her pieces reflect her curiosity, aiming to spark questions about the world we live in; scientifically, morally, and energetically. Her purpose, her hope, is to serve as a bridge, to express her learnings through stitches, strokes, and shots, subsequently providing a potential path to gratitude, beauty, and peace for those with whom her work speaks. Find out more on her or follow her onÌý.
