“For All Mankind” is a moving scan of a paper cut-out. The long panorama is composed of different layers that accumulate on a dark, moon-like background, and from which appear Chinese dragons, landing vehicles, a shadowed flag and other objects. The name For All Mankind is a quote of a famous phrase by John F, Kennedy, when he launched the Apollo program. It is also written on a plaque left on the moon after every successful landing. The full quote: we come in peace for all mankind is signed by the U.S. president and the three astronauts. The plaque also depicted the planet earth icon presenting all earth continents. The phrase and illustration creates a massage addressed to a not-so-clear recipient. Is it an alien? Does he know English? Is that code is actually an attempt of a certain culture to say something about the role it is playing in human civilization? This art work try's to imagine a different code, maybe a replay or an invitation for a dialogue.
The CDA's archives are operating with the support of the Ostrovsky Family Fund and Artis
