In 2017, the Maternal Mitochondria creative team went to Japan. There we saw so many kinds of spirit houses—from Shinto shrines to municipal pagodas to small portable altars. When we came home to New Mexico, we wanted to build our own.

The initial three fairy houses are open! (We hope to create a total of nine). Each is made of recycled metal. And each houses a poem that tells the tale of its denizens—the supernatural creatures who work and party in each.

The Cabin is lit up from within by the fire of the earth’s core. Brownie miners descend to seek riches in the earth.

The Cantina is a way station where fire foxes—messengers of the divine—can take a break from their delivery rounds and have a drink.

The Mushroom is a landing pad for winged pixies, even as it is part of the natural cycle of birth and decay.