/ Authentic hair strand from Anna Reinhardt, daughter of the late, great Ad Reinhardt (CPRA Collection, 2008) 
Authentic hair strand from Anna Reinhardt, daughter of the late, great Ad Reinhardt (CPRA Collection, 2008)

The CPRA (Center for the Preservation & Resurrection of Artists)

Established in September 2008 for the Purpose of Collecting, Storing and Preserving DNA of Living Artists, a Newly Endangered Human Species

"Today, the artist is threatened by extinction, very much like the heirloom tomato," said Filip Noterdaeme, Founding Director of the Homeless Museum of Art. "He is quickly losing ground to a small number of interchangeable superstar artists who are aggressively marketed by special interest groups like museum trustees, art dealers and collectors, in the same way that the heirloom tomato is threatened by industrial farming and subsidized mono agriculture. Both artist and heirloom tomato do not stand a chance for survival in this increasingly hostile environment. While backyard gardeners and post-industrial farmers do their best to safeguard the heirloom tomato's survival, the CPRA has taken on the initiative to do the same for the artist. By collecting and preserving hair samples from select living artists, HOMU is setting aside priceless capital for a time when the artist species may need to be resurrected from extinction."

As an exception, the CPRA may also collect hair strands from direct descendants of deceased artists.

For security reasons, the CPRA is not open to the public. Genetic scientists, curators and members of the press who wish to visit the Center may send a request to info@homelessmuseum.org