The announcement of the selection of the Ars Ad Astra art work to stay on the Mir was
communicated during a live transmission from orbit organized by ESA which
took place as the Mir passed over the Euro Space Center in Transinne,
Belgium on November 30, 1995.
This "link-up" event was attended by most of
the 20 artists.
"For the environmentalists, The Space Option is the ultimate environmental solution. For the Cornucopians, it is the technological fix that they are relying on. For the hard core space community, the obvious by-product would be the eventual exploration and settlement of the solar system. For most of humanity however, the ultimate benefit is having a realistic hope in a future with possibilities.... If our species does not soon embrace this unique opportunity with sufficient commitment, it may miss its one and only chance to do so. Humanity could soon be overwhelmed by one or more of the many challenges it now faces. The window of opportunity is closing as fast as the population is increasing.... Our future will be either a Space Age or a Stone Age."
Arthur Woods and Marco Bernasconi