VentureOne
2013

participative performance / video installation

weather balloon, dna samples, weblog,
different other materials, HD video
variable dimensions

photos: Michael Kohls
videos: Heinrich Holtgreve, Lucie Marsmann


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VentureOne is the name of a self-made space craft carrying DNA samples of volunteers to the stratosphere.

The launch marks the final stage of a public event in which nine participants are chosen by means of a lottery drawing. Each of them is invited to contribute one DNA sample in order to send it to space by means of a weather balloon.

The entire preparation process is documented on a weblog. On one hand it represents the narrative of a single human being trying to realize an individual vision devoid of further financial or institutional help. On the other hand it reflects on different contemporary developments such as new theories of evolution and social movements like maker culture and citizen science.

Several videos furthermore summarize the event and document VentureOnes take-off. The balloon finally disappears between the clouds and leaves space for open imagination.