#12 Mitochronia : Participants : Paul Malone

'Mitochondria Unravelled' (detail). Acrylic tubes, aluminium garden edging. 2026

The structure of the mitochondria is usually visualied as a zig-zag tube enclosed within a sausage like enclosure. Although best know for the production of energy through the production of ATP, via the electron transport chain, it also participates in hormone function, programmed cell death, heat production and signalling.

The zig-zag interface is ideal for the chemical transfer of its contents so the interactions can take place efficiently. Before this facility life was not able to express the complexity of function that we see in animals today. It moved from a simple existence such as is found in moulds and slimes to organisms that can do many things and evolve their own character.

The greatest energiser of mitochondria is red and infra-red light, This is especially so in terms of the retina and other cells that are very much energy dependent. Metabolic diseases are often associated with the dysfunction with these cells and is an active area for medical research.

In this artwork I am deconstructing the mitochondrion and stretching the cell out to show the internal structure. By doing this, rhe zig-zag element is evident to show the chemical interface. These are enclosed in clear acrylic tubes with their own wave frequency, as expressed in the profile.

The artist is interested in all aspects of scientific exploration. Specifically how the physical world comes to be and by what means. In mitocondria it is interesting how these cells regenerate their function through red and infra-red light. In some of my previous work I have illustrated the role of base level infra-red photons )single axial spin), especially in the generation of the material world and the underpinning of electro-magnetism (Particulate Aether theory). It makes sense that the world of Life should participate also in this process. At an atomic scale these photons are channeled through the atom and it is this that explains the way living beings operate.

When mitochondria release their energy they need to be electro-chemically recharged. Humans are born with mitochondria that can be recharged for about 100 years. When they can no longer do this it is what we call death. That is the trade off – an immortal life where you do nothing and a functional life that is time limited. In a way this is analogous of the story by Philip K Dick – ‘Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep’ – and made into the movie ‘Bladerunner’.

Website: https://www.paulmalone.co.uk/