Next ISS Mission Crew Patch Design by Artist Shepard Fairey Revealed

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The most recent addition to the long history of space mission crew patches was announced this past weekend live on stage from the Engadget Expand event in San Francisco, CA with artwork designed by Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant, Studio Number One, Obama Hope). The crew patch artwork will mark the inaugural CASIS-managed flight to the International Space Station. CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space) is the non-profit entity setup by Congress to promote and broker research onboard the International Space Station, U.S. National Laboratory.

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Named ARK1 (Advancing Research Knowledge), the September 2013 through March 2014 flight plans will be the the start of many CASIS managed flights to the ISS. 

CASIS charged Florida-based creative agency, Fiction with the task of creating the missions crew patch, they accepted, but then made a curious move. They stepped aside and hired famed artist Shepard Fairey to design the historic patch instead. 

"When CASIS told us that they wanted Fiction to design the crew patch for their first mission we knew that we had an amazing opportunity. We wanted to think bigger than our circle of influence and Fairey's iconic work in sticker and patch design made choosing him a visceral response." -Chase Heavener, President of Fiction.

Fairey's body of work is the sort that needs no introduction; street campaigns that kicked off viral campaigns before the Internet could, activist campaigns to shed light on world issues, shows world-wide in the most prestigious galleries, and now a showing onboard the International Space Station, which will have him becoming the first street artist putting his tag on the ISS.

"It's a really special thing. I'm just flattered and honored that I could create something that becomes just a small symbol of how things can move forward. The excitement of the unknown. To be part of that, is really a cool thing." -Shepard Fairey, Obey Giant / Studio Number One

Media Contacts:
Fiction
Nick Sambrato
407.571.4101
[email protected]

CASIS 
Tina Lange, APR
321-223-1013
[email protected] 

Related Links:

Fiction, creative agency behind the partnership & CASIS' brand

CASIS, manager of the US National Lab onboard the International Space Station

SOURCE Fiction