Kathryn Cellerini Moore
Kathryn Cellerini Moore
Kaleidoscopic Soup
2026
petri dishes, microscope videos, chainmail, soundtrack
dimensions variable
location: Hartwig Gallery at Bay College, Escanaba, MI
power source for residency work: solar and hydrothermal
power source for the exhibition at Bay College: grid/coal
Special Thanks to Kristine Hunter and Rock Street Artist Residency for hosting me during the Artist Residency, and for this exhibition opportunity. Extended gratitude to James Weiss for his continued support letting me use some of his microscopy footage. @rockstreetartistresidency & @jam_and_germs
Some photographs are credited to Kristine T. Hunter. @kristinehunterart
The Soundtrack was mixed using files from NASA's Sonification Program.
Brief Artist Statement
Kaleidoscopic Soup is where the galactic and microcosmic commingle and meld together. Videos of creatures under my own microscope and that of scientist James Weiss, undersea volcanic scenes from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, and scenes captured during my experience as a pregnant person, are warped by pirouetting petri dishes into speckled, nebular vistas. The emergent and waning nebular forms reference the beauty and power of full-fledged galactic nebulae, which are the aftermath of the universe’s most explosive, generative recycling agents. The soundtrack includes clips from NASA Chandra X-Ray Sonification Project files that assign soundwaves to nebula images, interspersed with music made by some of Earth’s very own cicadas. Kaleidoscopic Soup also features auroral structures that undulate through space, mimicking the liminal dance that cultures across the globe have witnessed and shared through story, art and cautionary tale.
In a moment of many unknowns and insecurities, where human rights, access to water and a dark evening sky are at risk, Kaleidoscopic Soup is an artwork intended to re-spark wonder and connect viewers back to themselves. For visitors experiencing this work, I hope nerves are calmed. When we are calm, may we also find our strength, resolve, and joy. Let's collectively remember to show up for ourselves and our communities by becoming more fervent defenders and lovers of this earth and each other.
