Moon Life proposed that 40 years after the first human being set foot on the moon, it is now time for a more democratic, peaceful, artistic, and cultural investigation of space. Recent financial cutbacks have forced governmental agencies like NASA to collaborate with amateur researchers, private parties, and commercial space companies. This is a cautious start to a democratization process that Moon Life wants to take further. Artists, designers, and architects are encouraged to think radically about concepts for habitat design for moon life, creating a platform for the public to engage with such notions and to discuss the "public-ness" of the possibility of living on the moon.

Space research is usually directed by governmental and military interests, hence some inventions have an almost hostile appearance. The development of a "National Missile Defense System" and the space race (which nation will be the first to reach the Moon or Mars) are just examples in a long list.

The extraterrestrial context, with its extreme conditions, restrictions, and opportunities, forces us to abandon familiar points of departure in the design process. This process can lead to innovative and functional tools for our earthly existence—a point already proven by the aerospace industry (Velcro, microwave, Internet, laptop, MP3 player, airbags, etc.). With the interdisciplinary character of the project (science, technology, art and design) in a futuristic context, Moon Life aims to initiate new developments in design culture. Is it possible to create a future-oriented, innovative impulse in the same way that Constant's New Babylon did in his time?

Alicia Framis Moon Cola, 2009

Alicia Framis Moon Passport, 2009

Alicia Framis Lost Astronaut, 2010

Alicia Framis with Uriel Fogué Helmet House, 2009

Atelier van Lieshout Space Suit, 2010

DUS architects World Moon, 2010

Edhv Tableware, 2010

Femke de Vries Unstated Statements 02 – A tribute to the 'Unnamed', 2011

John Lonsdale Moon Dust Building, 2010

John Lonsdale Bangles, 2010

Juha van 't Zelfde Zero History – A soundtrack for Moon Life, 2011

LIQUIFER Systems Group: Waltraut Hoheneder, Barbara Imhof, Kaspar Vogel Visitor Kit, 2009

Marina Toeters Human and Kind, 2010

MaryMe-JimmyPaul Moon V_gue, 2010

Monica Tormell & Staffan Björk, concept Alicia Framis Moon Anthem, 2010

Paula Ampuero, Maria Serret and Alicia Framis Moon Compass, 2010

Paula Ampuero, Maria Serrett and Alicia Framis Moondictionary, 2010

Sandra Gnjatovic Moon Coloring Book, 2010

Sarah van Sonsbeeck Faraday Fabric, 2010

Sarah van Sonsbeeck in cooperation with Susan Bijl & Maria Jobse Faraday Clutch, 2010

Sarah van Sonsbeeck in cooperation with Susan Bijl & Maria Jobse Faraday Bag, 2011

Satyendra Pakhalé Moonwākā, 2011

Tao G. Vrhovec Sambolec Teethphone, 2010

Tao G. Vrhovec Sambolec & Brian McKenna Very Low Frequency Fireplace, 2010

Tozer Pak Sheung-Chuen Moontage Based on Distance/Thinking the Same/Looking at the Same Object, 2010

United Nude Flat Pack Shoe, 2010

Wang Yuyang Nano Moon, 2010

Yan Jun Music for the Moon, 2010

Photo credits: Ilya Rabinovich