Lost Astronaut on tour
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After spending some time in Budapest and Vienna, the Astronaut is ready for its next adventure: it is looking for a new home - whether it is temporary or permanent.
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About the Lost Astronaut
The Lost Astronaut is a public sculpture, that was originally installed in Bizottság Square, Szentendre, Hungary in the summer of 2017. It was the winner of the Ferenczy Museum’s „Home, Homelessness” open call. After spending some time in Vienna, the Astronaut is waiting at Budapest for its next adventure: it is looking for a new home - whether it is temporary or permanent. The sculpture is available to be installed indoors or outdoors, private or public spaces.
The astronaut represents a feeling that Otto has experienced - and probably everyone at least once in a lifetime has felt - that of being lost, and not finding his place in the world. After graduating from the University of Fine Arts in 2012, he needed to see the world and experience the unknown. He moved to London and spent two years there. During that time he often paused and asked himself: where am I, what am I doing here? What comes next? At last he moved back to Hungary and, in a way, I found my home again for a while, to later move to Milan and settle down in Zurich (for now).
The figure of the lost astronaut is looking for its place as well, but the question arises: where is home, and what makes home „home”? Today, in a time of mass migration – whether people are fleeing war, or travelling in the hope of better life – the question is more pertinent than ever. But it is also a universal question - we can all find ourselves at a crossroads and pause to ask: what is next?
The astronaut, from one angle, symbolizes people living abroad who, having moved to another country and chosen a new home, may still - like Otto- feel themselves homeless.
Generation Y - to which he belongs as well - can also sympathize with this predicament. We go through endless cycles of self- investigation and, even though from time to time we settle down, we keep looking for our place in the world in a never ending process. The definition of home can lose its meaning; it becomes plastic.
The sculpture also represents the condition of being a refugee, who suffers from homelessness during a long and arduous journey and perhaps may never fully arrive home.
Everyone can put themselves in the astronaut’s situation: looking for a home but, at the same time, unsure where to find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lost Astronaut?
The Lost Astronaut is a public sculpture, created by Otto Szabo (Robotto). It is a 3-meter-high figure, looking into space, completely lost on earth – it refers to the feeling of homelessness, often felt in today’s time of migration or place finding of the generation Y.
After spending some time in Vienna, the Astronaut is waiting at Budapest for its next adventure: it is looking for a new home - whether it is temporary or permanent.
Where has the Lost Astronaut been so far?
The Lost Astronaut started its journey in Szentendre. After spending some time in Vienna, the Astronaut is waiting at Budapest for its next adventure.
Who made the Lost Astronaut?
The Lost Astronaut is made by Otto Szabo (Robotto) visual artist. Just like the Astronaut, he is also looking for his home, growing up in Hungary, after spending time in London and Milan, he currently lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland. You can find out more about Otto and his work here.
Where and for how long can it be installed?
The Lost Astronaut can be installed indoors or outdoors, in private or public spaces. It can be installed for 3 to 6 months.
What is the size of the installation?
The Lost Astronaut is 3 m high and its basis is 1,8 x 1,8 m.
I would like to host the Lost Astronaut. What’s next?
Great! Please write to otto.robotto.studio@gmail.com to discuss the details.