Mary Kuiper
Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon
2022
Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair
1 x 1 x 1 cm
status:
A small cube containing a nest made of horse hair and mitochondrial DNA. The work evokes the human urge to leave the nest. Part of the Moon Gallery.
Horsehair shaped into an infinite circle containing power at cellular level, will be used as a vehicle to send mitochondrial DNA to the moon. This circle and its hidden power is to remind future generations about the human urge to leave the nest and expand their horizon into the universe.
As humans’ explorations bring new life to other planets, so does a nest bring new life to a tree. One nest, I discovered included horse hair in its structure. My piece uses horse hair as a vehicle to send mitochondrial DNA to the moon and remind future generations of the interconnections between all species, and celestial and terrestrial bodies. The horse hair was chosen by the bird to make the nest due to its strength, just as horses were used by humans throughout time for their strength.
The circle formed by this piece can also be found in the circular shape of mitochondrial DNA. But this shape is also repeated in outer space, in the appearance of the moon itself and other planetary bodies. This piece reminds us the simplicity of the circle does not diminish its power, it is unbreakable and infinite just like our ever expanding universe.
Technical information
artist
Mary Kuiper
title
Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon
date
2022
medium
Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair
dimensions
1 x 1 x 1 cm
genre
Sculpture
IAAA art style
this work is part of the following collection
Moon Gallery
artwork COSPAR id
Launch
Space
Return
launch date
19 Feb 2022
launch mission
Antares 230+ / NG-17 Cygnus resupply mission
launch provider
Northrop Grumman
return date
11 January 2023
return vehicle
Dragon CRS-26
return location
Gulf of Mexico
launch location
Wallops Island, VA, USA
host vehicle
International Space Station
return vehicle COSPAR id
2022-159A
launching state
location
USA
LEO, International Space Station (ISS)
host vehicle COSPAR id
1998-067A
status
Returned
launch vehicle COSPAR id
2022-015A
partners
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