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

Launch date:
Launch mission:
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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:
Title:
Artist:
Date:
Medium:
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Genre:
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Collection:
COSPAR id:
Sending Mitochondrial DNA to the Moon
Mary Kuiper
2022
Mitochondrial DNA, horsehair
1 x 1 x 1 cm
Sculpture
Moon Gallery
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