Moonwalk 405 is a depiction of astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. taken on his walk on the moon for the first time in 1969 during the Apollo 11 mission. Edwin was accompanied by astronaut, Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the Moon. Warhol’s Moonwalk is a portfolio of only two prints. While the other print uses more subtle shades of yellow, this print illustrates the astronaut in a hot pink suit. The US flag beside him also consists of the bright pink with blue and white. The vibrant pink emphasizes the astronaut and flag against the cool blue hues of the moon.
Moonwalk 405 by Andy Warhol as Part of His Larger Body of Work
Warhol was known for capturing portraits of the most famed faces across the globe from Hollywood movie stars to the leaders of foreign countries. However, Warhol focuses on the glamor of this moment of 1969 rather than depicting a large portrait of Buzz Aldrin’s face. He noticed the significance of such a historic event, thus, produced this unique portfolio, Moonwalk, to remind people of America’s abilities and progress. The set evokes ideas of the victory of the United States during the space race and the technological advancement of the 1960s.
Photo Credits:
1- Photo of Buzz Aldrin on the moon. Neil Armstrong, who took the photograph, can be seen reflected in Aldrin’s helmet visor. ©NASA/JPL-Caltech
2- Govinda Gallery owner and director Chris Murray presenting Buzz Aldrin with Warhol’s silkscreen print Moonwalk, depicting Aldrin on the moon. ©Chester Simpson.
