The golden age of American space exploration is over. Decades of rapid growth, development, and disaster have left the nation jaded towards that which once held so much promise. It may be gone, but that moment in history has been an ongoing inspiration for artist Tom Sachs, whose work examines corporate symbology, consumerism, and the commodification of the abstract. In 2007, he staged a journey to the moon with his first SPACE PROGRAM at the Gagosian Gallery. Now, with the help of Creative Time and the Park Avenue Armory, he brings you SPACE PROGRAM: MARS, an ambitious sequel proving that sometimes, art really is rocket science.
In the installation, Sachs has employed his signature medium of bricolage to create the necessary equipment to run a space mission, all infused with nostalgic, DIY charm and cheeky wit. There's serious stuff—like the seriously awesome scaled replica of a real NASA Lunar Module—but this mission brings along fun essentials like a Darth Vader beer dispenser, a pentagram, and the Griffin family. I mean, who wants to colonize Mars if you can't eat McDonald's or watch cable? As much as it's lighthearted, Sachs' work questions what it means to colonize other worlds and the implications of bringing our culture along with us.
With informative videos on the mission, a "re-education" program, and a full fleet of stand-in scientists and astronauts, the installation is thoroughly immersive. It harnesses the excitement and naïveté with which we originally entered space—perfect for kids or grown-ups with imagination. To get the full effect, go on a Thursday, when the team performs the long series of rituals necessary to keep the mission going, and check here for other scheduled events.
Shop all Tom Sachs for Nike here.
Through June 17, 2012
PARK AVENUE ARMORY
643 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065
MAP
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Carlos always wanted to go to space camp.
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A replica of a Lunar Module
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Visitors being indoctrinated
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State-of-the-art technology
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Mission control... I don't know if NASA keeps that much vodka on hand.
![]()
I don't even want to know what this is for.
In the installation, Sachs has employed his signature medium of bricolage to create the necessary equipment to run a space mission, all infused with nostalgic, DIY charm and cheeky wit. There's serious stuff—like the seriously awesome scaled replica of a real NASA Lunar Module—but this mission brings along fun essentials like a Darth Vader beer dispenser, a pentagram, and the Griffin family. I mean, who wants to colonize Mars if you can't eat McDonald's or watch cable? As much as it's lighthearted, Sachs' work questions what it means to colonize other worlds and the implications of bringing our culture along with us.
With informative videos on the mission, a "re-education" program, and a full fleet of stand-in scientists and astronauts, the installation is thoroughly immersive. It harnesses the excitement and naïveté with which we originally entered space—perfect for kids or grown-ups with imagination. To get the full effect, go on a Thursday, when the team performs the long series of rituals necessary to keep the mission going, and check here for other scheduled events.
Shop all Tom Sachs for Nike here.
Through June 17, 2012
PARK AVENUE ARMORY
643 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10065
MAP
Carlos always wanted to go to space camp.
A replica of a Lunar Module
Visitors being indoctrinated
State-of-the-art technology
Mission control... I don't know if NASA keeps that much vodka on hand.
I don't even want to know what this is for.