Jessica MacMillan Solo Exhibition『Incense for the Mesosphere』

Jessica MacMillan Solo Exhibition 「INCENSE FOR THE MESOSPHERE」

We are pleased to announce the exhibition “Incense for the Mesosphere” by Jessica MacMillan, this year’s artist-in-residence in an exchange program in collaboration with Office for Contemporary Art Norway (OCA) and ANEWAL Gallery, Kyoto.

Jessica MacMillan is an artist whose work focuses on concepts in astronomy and planetary science, and exploring ways of bridging the gap between our everyday lives and the larger structures of the universe. During her residency, she has researched the use of traditional materials in space applications through Kyoto University’s LignoStella Space Wood Project, which has developed the world’s first wooden satellite out of Japanese magnolia wood, called LignoSat. This exhibition will feature works that MacMillan has created during her residency, including a scent installation made by turning leftover magnolia wood from the construction of LignoSat into senkō incense.

Launched from the Kennedy Space Center this November, LignoSat will soon be released into space from the International Space Station to begin observations. In a few months’ time, when this satellite finishes its mission and is intentionally burned up in the upper atmosphere, it will create the scent of burning magnolia. This exhibition will provide an opportunity to imagine you are there with the satellite as it burns, which will soon become an incense itself for the upper atmosphere.