– I’m a classic dreamer. I lay down several times, looked at the moon and wondered how the universe was connected. I don’t think we are alone, says Frøydis Aarseth.

The artist was educated in Florence, where she learned the techniques of Rembrandt and Da Vinci. But even these masters could not have imagined what Aarseth is about to achieve.

The photo she took will be kept forever on the moon.

– It will be a time machine for the future, a museum on the Moon. It’s a really good idea to show what we humans can create, says Aarseth.

30,000 artists

It all started with an international art competition, of which Aarseth became one of the many winners. She thought the prize was “only” to exhibit the winning work at Sotheby’s in New York.

– The fact that he also went to the Moon was a positive surprise, says Aarseth.

Painting is part of “The Lunar Codex”a collection of contemporary art to be stored on the moon.

Aarseth is one of 30,000 artists from 158 countries taking part.

The collection includes music, photos, films, poetry, magazines and podcasts. It shouldn’t be physically on the moon, but should be stored on a digital or analog memory card. “NanoFiche”.

“NanoFiches” are tiny metal plates onto which art has been etched using a laser. Since it’s so small, you need optical tools to be able to see the art.

– Inspired by war

Aarseth’s works are rooted in current themes.

– It shows a hidden woman, where her fingers protrude and where we see her eyes scrutinizing cautiously.

The artist says the image is inspired by Ukraine and those who had to find temporary shelter.

Back to the moon

The idea for the art project originated when NASA began privatizing landing craft. It allowed individuals to buy payload space, storage space in the spacecraft.

Samuel Peralta, a Canadian physicist and author, also did the same. In recent years, he has spent all his time reaching out to galleries and other art world players to collect content for the project.

– This will be the first American landing craft in over 50 years. This is an incredible opportunity, Peralta writes to NRK.

moon men

The Lunar Codex project is far from the first time we humans have sent art into the universe.

The most famous example is the gold plate sent with Voyager-1, the space probe that became the most distant man-made object in the universe. It featured music in every genre, from Beethoven to Chuck Berry.

During the Apollo 12 trip, photos of Andy Warhol, among others, were included in the cargo.

But! Men only. No women. This will end when the Lunar Codex takes place on the surface of the Moon.

– This is the first time that female art has been sent to the moon. I think it’s time. We must have equality at all levels, says Aarseth.

It only remains to wait before Aarseth can follow art’s journey to the moon from the television screen.

– It’s special to think that future beings will be able to find the time capsules and see what humans have created. What creativity exists here, she says.