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Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

status:

2022

Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair

1 x 1 x 1 cm

Mary Kuiper

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.  

Full Record Details

Title

Date

Medium

Dimensions

Genre

Style

Artist

Collection

Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

2022

Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair

1 x 1 x 1 cm

Sculpture

Mary Kuiper

Moon Gallery

Launch

Date

Mission

Operator

Location

State

COSPAR id

19 Feb 2022

Antares 230+ / NG-17 Cygnus resupply mission

Northrop Grumman

Wallops Island, VA, USA

USA

2022-015A

Space

Location

Platform

Operator

COSPAR id

LEO

International Space Station

NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA, CSA

1998-067A

Return

Date

Vehicle

Operator

Landing

COSPAR id

Status

Location

11 January 2023

Dragon CRS-26

SpaceX

Gulf of Mexico

2022-159A

Returned

Moon Gallery Foundation

Artist

Mary Kuiper

Mary Kuiper

The Netherlands

Collection

Moon Gallery

Moon Gallery Foundation

Moon Gallery

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