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Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon

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.

Voyager Space
Nanoracks LLC
Moon Gallery Foundation

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

International Space Station

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

Voyager Space
Nanoracks LLC
Moon Gallery Foundation

Artist

Mary Kuiper

Artist

The Netherlands

Collection

Moon Gallery

2022

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