Today was supposed to be the day that NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX sent a manned mission to the International Space Station — the first launch from American soil in nine years, and the first manned rocket launch by a private company.
Instead, due to bad weather, the launch was scrubbed and rescheduled for Saturday afternoon. If it goes off as planned, some striking artwork by Tristan Eaton will accompany astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley into space.
The pieces Eaton made are called “Human Kind” and we are highlighting them for Wallpaper Wednesday.
Tristan Eaton’s ‘Human Kind’
Eaton’s two pieces are meant to represent the duality of mankind and its future and past. The first piece depicts the word “Human” and contrasts a NASA Saturn rocket with two apes next to it holding a crude tool made out of rock.
The other piece says “Kind,” and depicts a resting human hand and iconic pop culture images – the peace sign and the smiley face sign – cut in half, with a background of scenes from nature. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule is shown in the bottom-right corner.
The two pieces are made out of gold, brass and aluminum and are supposed to be indestructible.
Eaton posted on Instagram: “I wanted to make something inspirational. Looking down from space to see all of Human Kind together on this tiny planet might remind you how much history and potential we have.”
Eaton is a professional artist and toy designer. He specializes in murals of pop icons and social-justice advocates. Eaton’s murals can be seen in dozens of cities across the globe. His artwork is part of the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. After doing murals in Shanghai and Berlin, SpaceX commissioned him to make art fitting for space.
SpaceX wallpapers
The artwork is futuristic and complex. It is fitting that it should represent both SpaceX and humankind. Click the images below to get the full-size versions to use as wallpaper.
Photo: Tristan Eaton
Photo: Tristan Eaton
