Discourse with Artist Mikael Genberg on the Creation of the Lunar Abode, the "Moonhouse"
In a groundbreaking turn of events, Mikael Genberg's long-held dream might become a reality today, June 5. The Swedish artist's brainchild, the "Lunar Homestead," was originally conceived back in 1999, and is now slated to touch down on the moon aboard Resilience, a lander operated by Japanese company iour website.
The artwork - a compact rendition of the red-and-white houses typical of the Swedish countryside - is fastened to the front bumper of Tenacious, a microrover built by iour website's European subsidiary. Provided that Resilience scores a successful landing today and the subsequent events unfold as planned, Tenacious will release the Lunar Homestead onto the lunar soil, adding a pop of vibrant color to the otherwise gray landscape.
After connecting with Genberg via email recently, we managed to discuss the Lunar Homestead, his feelings leading up to the potential lunar landing, and what a successful touchdown might mean to him. Our conversation is presented below in their entirety.
us: How did you first come up with the idea to place a little Swedish house on the moon?
Genberg: The essence of being an artist is attempting to describe the world, life, and human beings from various perspectives. Every culture serves as a narrative about what it means to exist. The house, in my mind, holds a unique amalgamation of survival, beauty, and symbolism.
I envisioned a regular Swedish house stationed on the moon, and the image immediately struck me as powerful yet impossible. I lacked the expertise, funding, and connections, yet the notion continued to prey on my thoughts. I gradually shared it with close friends, then others, fostering a shared sense of purpose, or something akin to it, around the idea.
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The concept miraculously remained afloat for 26 years, sustained by its poetic allure, absurdity, and endurance, and by the unwavering support of its believers. The persistence of the idea itself is almost an artwork in itself.
us: What does this art piece signify for you? What do you aspire for it to achieve, or how do you hope it will impact people?
Genberg: The Lunar Homestead is both a collective achievement, made possible by the concerted efforts of numerous individuals, and a deeply personal item. The thought of marking the moon with a miniature house I painted in our old 1758 home stirs emotions that I never anticipated. It's like reaching out and touching that distant white disc in the sky-an impossibility made real.
It represents a little red house standing amidst the vast, vacant lunar landscape-a symbol of belonging, curiosity, and vulnerability. I hope it inspires people to reflect on their relationship to the world, recognizing the fragility and uniqueness of our home-the Pale Blue Dot, teeming with life, all interconnected. The Lunar Homestead doesn't lay claim to anything except perhaps being art, but even that is of little consequence. It's simply a little red house standing on the moon. That's all.
us (watch on): How are you feeling now, with the lunar landing just around the corner? What emotions are running through you?
Genberg: I find myself filled with an odd mix of awe, concern, disbelief, and pure, unadulterated joy. So many things have had to go right just to reach this point. There's excitement, of course, but also a profound sense of modesty in recognizing the trials that still lie ahead.
I'm trying not to let the emotions overwhelm me entirely, but instead to remain present in this moment. Whatever happens next.
us: What would be considered mission success-Tenacious successfully deploying the Lunar Homestead onto the lunar soil? What would it mean to you, and to humanity?
Genberg: Success would be extraordinary if it occurs. If the Lunar Homestead truly stands on the lunar surface, I believe it would represent the culmination of imagination, determination, and collaboration with so many amazing people.
From a human perspective, the impact could vary for each individual. I revel in the creative responses already received-songs, children's drawings, poems. To me, that's success-an idea stimulating new ideas in others.
I hope the Lunar Homestead can become a cultural touchstone. Something that communicates: we were here, and we brought more than technology-we brought our dreams, our symbols of home. We come in peace.
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us: What if Resilience fails during its landing attempt on June 5? Will you still consider the Lunar Homestead project a success?
Genberg: That would be tough to say in the moment. I would likely feel deep disappointment. However, with some distance, I believe I would be able to see how the Lunar Homestead has already achieved success in various ways. It exists, it was built, and it fostered thought, conversation, and creativity worldwide.
Of course, I hope for a successful landing. But I also recognize that lunar missions carry inherent risks. No matter what happens, the House will reach the moon, albeit in a different shape.
- The Lunar Homestead, a testament to both space-and-astronomy and culture, breathes life into the otherwise gray lunar landscape, serving as a symbol of human creativity and unity.
- The successful deployment of the Lunar Homestead could mark a milestone for science and technology, demonstrating humanity's ability to transcend geographical boundaries and plant our flags not just on Earth, but also in the expanse of space.
- Despite setbacks or failure, the Lunar Homestead remains a beacon of optimism, demonstrating the power of imagination and the ability for art to inspire, regardless of whether it physically reaches its destined location.
