Canadian artist Viktor Mitic has created a towering sculpture known as the “Space Lounger” that stands at an impressive 20 feet tall. This masterpiece, which has found its new home at the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab in Sarasota, is made from upcycled materials such as steel and painted fiberglass. The sculpture pays homage to the Mayan astronaut carving with a modern twist, drawing inspiration from Mitic’s tropical beachside studio and his very own ‘Sculpture Studio Garden’.
Mitic was inspired to create this colorful and contemporary representation of the scene after visiting the UFO museum in Roswell, NM. He felt compelled to create his own interpretation of the ancient king piloting a rocket ship, resulting in a towering rocket-like structure that stands out for its unique form. Mitic’s connection with Ping Faulhaber, Co-founder and Director of Suncoast Science Center, came through a mutual friend, Diane Barth, Director of the Johnson Singer Foundation. After a tour of the science center and discussions on the intersection of science and art, Mitic worked with Faulhaber and others to successfully install the Space Lounger at its new home. With a significant amount of concrete poured at the base of the sculpture, it seems that this impressive artwork will be a permanent fixture at the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab.
