Welcome to the Cosmic Stones Space Art Project

Cosmic Stones are stones from Earth that have been selected and transformed into art objects designed for the space environment.

The Cosmic Stones space art project has been initiated to address the issue of human destiny at a most critical moment in its history. In short, it simply inserts the question: "Will humanity's future be a 'Space Age' or a 'Stone Age'?" into the current discourse about sustainability and survival. It is my conviction that the act of launching Cosmic Stones into space will help to open the space frontier to all forms of human activity because, if I am successful, this project will be an example of how it is possible for an individual to actively participate in humanity's space endeavors. As such, this project may help to catalyze a new and viable "Space Age" with unlimited potential for our species and for all other forms of life sharing our planet. By choosing a "Space Age" our species can avoid irrevocably retreating into a "Stone Age" which would surely mean the end of current civilization for the foreseeable future.

Thus, our species has reached a pivotal point in its evolutionary history and it appears that the moment has now arrived for us to make a critical choice about our future - both on Earth and, consequently,  in the cosmos.  This decision could be called our "Cosmic Choice" - a choice which conceivably must be made by all potential spacefaring civilizations at the appropriate moment in their particular history. Maybe it is a test? If we pass the test we survive and prosper. If we fail, we perish.  

In the words of Robert Heinlein:

"It may take endless wars and unbearable population pressure to force-feed a technology to the point where it can cope with space. In the universe, space travel may be the normal birth pangs of an otherwise dying race. A test. Some races pass, some fail."
(Robert Heinlein, I Will Fear No Evil, 1970)

The Cosmic Stones space art project  embodies this challenge in a physical and conceptual art work that literally and artistically combines the microcosmos with the macrocosmos, one that utilizes the terrestrial and extra-terrestrial forces of nature in its both concept and realization and one that  connects our species' history on Earth with its future destiny in space. The project is designed to  proceed in various stages of development  including realizations in micro-gravity environments,  on space habitats and,  ultimately,  on the surfaces of other celestial bodies.

I and many others share the belief that expansion into space is critical to the future well-being and survival of our species. At the bottom of each page on this website you will find a quote from people who have thought quite a lot about this issue. A special Space Quotes page is also available.

For answers to specific questions about the background and purpose of the cosmic stones project and how it is being implemented, I have prepared an Introduction Section with links the following aspects of the project.

What are Cosmic Stones?

Origins of the Cosmic Stones in my Art

The Cosmic Stones as Art Objects

The Suitability of the Cosmic Stones in the Space Environment

Our Future: Will it be a "Space Age" or a "Stone Age"?

The Cosmic Stones Project as an Art Catalyst of the Space Age

Project Development and Implementation

There is also "Frequently Asked Questions" page that is being constantly updated. If you have a question that has not been answered please send me an e-mail.

I have been involved in making space art - specially art for outer space - for more than 20 years. Two of my projects - the Cosmic Dancer Sculpture and Ars Ad Astra: The 1st Art Exhibition in Earth Orbit were both realized on the Mir space station. As such I have been responsible for sending 21 artworks - mine and works by 20 other artists into space. I have also worked on various projects and activities that has helped the emerging space art community to meet, discuss and document their pioneering work. If you would like to know more about me and my previous activities, I have prepared a short resume.

To stay in touch with project developments and news please visit my ongoing WEBLOG and sign up to the free Newsletter. Project supporters and participants are invited to join the Cosmic Stone Forum

As the main cost/ratio factor of sending anything into space is directly related to its weight, the price of each Cosmic Stone is based on the weight of the stone - thus you pay only for the stone. Once Cosmic Stones begin finding their way into micro-gravity environments and off their home planet Earth, I expect their value to increase exponentially. So it is a good idea to get yours now. To do so just go the the Cosmic Stones Gallery and Shop.

To make the Cosmic Stones project a reality, I invite all visitors to join the project by purchasing your own unique Cosmic Stone.

ars ad astra

Arthur Woods