top of page
Voyager Space
Nanoracks LLC
Moon Gallery Foundation

status:

Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

Mary Kuiper

2022

Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair

1 x 1 x 1 cm

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.

Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

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.  

Mary Kuiper

Mary Kuiper

The Netherlands

Collection:

Moon Gallery

Moon Gallery Foundation

Moon Gallery

Full Record Details

Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

Launch date​:

Launch  mission:

Launch provider:

Launch location:

Launching state:

Launch vehicle COSPAR id:

19 Feb 2022

Antares 230+ / NG-17 Cygnus resupply mission

Northrop Grumman

Wallops Island, VA, USA

USA

2022-015A

Destination:

Host:

Host COSPAR id:

LEO, International Space Station (ISS)

International Space Station

1998-067A

Return date:

Return vehicle:

Landing Location:

Return vehicle COSPAR id:

Current status:

11 January 2023

Dragon CRS-26

Gulf of Mexico

2022-159A

Returned

Project partners:

Voyager Space
Nanoracks LLC
Moon Gallery Foundation

Title:

Artist:

Date:

Medium:

Dimensions:

Genre:

IAAA art style:

Collection:

COSPAR id:

Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

Mary Kuiper

2022

Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair

1 x 1 x 1 cm

Sculpture

Moon Gallery

Are you the copyright holder of this artwork and do not wish to be included in this archive, then let us know by mail and we will remove your record.
 

Copyright Disclaimer: Exception to copyright for libraries, museums and archives. Copies for the preservation of cultural and scientific heritage: libraries, archives or museums can restore works or make digital copies of works in order to preserve and conserve them for future generations. More info here. This database and its content are protected. More info here. No copyright infringement intended.

Astronautical Art

Archiving Art in Outer Space

Copyright 2025 Astronautical Art Initiative vzw. All rights reserved.

bottom of page