June 6, 1969

Description

Based on a Life magazine cover featuring the Apollo 10 mission, June 6, 1969 perfectly encapsulates Matthew Day Jackson’s interest in the continued influence of America’s past on its current political and social landscape. This piece teems with cultural references while commenting directly on Apollo 10. The lunar module is located in the lower right corner, silhouetted in molten lead. Using modified gypsum board, Jackson creates a photo realistic stand-in for both the magazine cover and the cratered surface of the moon. This thoughtfully conceived piece examines the literal and metaphorical aspects of artistic journeys and connects the image of a space traveler with that of an artist, suggesting that belief enables both to move beyond their physical and mental limitations.