Model for ‘Monument to the Astronauts’ c. 1966 - 1968

Curator: Here we have Naum Gabo’s “Model for ‘Monument to the Astronauts’”. Editor: My initial feeling is ethereal, almost ghostly. The translucent materials give it such a light, airy quality. Curator: Absolutely. Gabo was very interested in using modern materials like plastic to express new ideas about space and time, especially during the early years of space exploration. It's incredibly small, only 89mm high. Editor: Thinking of its construction, the way Gabo balances this central form within that rigid geometric frame really highlights the tension between the technological promise and the very human element of space travel. Curator: Indeed. It serves as a tribute, using form and material to evoke a sense of aspiration. Editor: It's fascinating how the physical making of this abstract object speaks to such grandiose ideas. Curator: Yes, I agree. Gabo invites us to ponder the infinite through such simple gestures.