“Fallen Astronaut” by Paul Van Hoeydonck at the Las Cruces Museum of Art

On display at the Las Cruces Museum of Art is Paul Van Hoeydonck’s statue, “Fallen Astronaut”.  This replica of the sole piece of art on the moon is on display during the exhibition of “NASA|ART: 50 Years of Exploration” and through January 21, 2012.

Van Hoeydonck’s “Fallen Astronaut” is the only piece of art on the moon.  It is viewed as a lasting and poignant tribute to the eight astronauts and six cosmonauts who died during the early years of space exploration, as “the martyrs of space exploration”.  Mr. Von Hoeydonck views his creation as representative of a “universal person…a delegate of the earth.”

“Fallen Astronaut” is an aluminum statue that is approximately 3 inches in length.  In 1972, and during the Apollo 15 manned mission to the moon, Astronaut David Scott placed the original sculpture in Hadley Base, a small crater of the moon.  A commemorative plaque was placed beside the piece. Both remain on the moon today. After mentioning the statue during their post-flight press conference, a replica was requested by the National Air and Space Museum.  The flight members agreed under the condition that it was to be displayed with “good taste and without publicity.”  A replica was made for the artist.

According to Exhibitions Curator Joy Miller, “a long-time Museum of Art supporter was preparing to travel to Las Cruces several months ago when she checked the Museum’s website for upcoming exhibitions.  She learned of the excitement surrounding the NASA|ART show, and quickly contacted her friend, and noted artist Paul Van Hoeydonck, to arrange the loan of his sculpture to the exhibit.  It was sheer serendipity.”

Belgium-born Paul Van Hoeydonck is a printmaker, painter, and sculptor who studied archeology and art history in Antwerp.  He currently resides in Belgium and his works are displayed in museums and galleries across Europe and the United States.

“NASA | ART” is organized by SITES and NASA in cooperation with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. The local presentation is sponsored by the Las Cruces Museum of Natural History and the Las Cruces Museum of Art.

Funded by the City of Las Cruces, the Las Cruces Museum of Art is located at 491 N. Main Street, next to Branigan Cultural Center.  Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  The Museum is closed Sundays and Mondays.   For more information, call (575) 541-2137 or visit the website www.las-cruces.org/museums

“Fallen Astronaut” by Paul Von Hoeydonck.  Shown with commemorative plaque in Hadley Crater.