Sojourner 2020, with the 18 stories contributed by 9 artists, is one large collaborative artwork. Inside a small unit, we carried our ideas, hopes, and dreams together. It is my hope that Sojourner 2020 will be remembered as an international collaboration among artists, engineers, and scientists—men and women from different countries, professions, and institutions.

As of September 9, 2020, the three projects that flew on CRS-20 are in New York City, stored inside a black Pelican case labeled with a red NASA sticker that reads, CRITICAL SPACE ITEM HANDLE WITH EXTREME CARE. As New York City moves toward fully reopening, these works will be transformed into an installation in collaboration with a glass artist. Once completed, my plan is to first bring it to a kindergarten and present it—without any explanation—to the eyes of the future, before exhibiting it elsewhere.

If there is an opportunity to speak about the project again in the future, I will participate as much as I can. I understand that flying to Paris and Florida, and launching a payload into space, is not without its environmental cost. In that respect, whether this project was a success or failure depends on whether I can do more good with it than harm.

Lastly, I want to express my sincere respect to Mr. On Kawara, who created a work with the same title, which I consider a true masterpiece.

September 6, 2020

Masahito Ono

Gratitude