Relict Soil

Sub-project objectives

The objective of the subproject is to increase public awareness of the importance of soil for the natural environment, culture, and human life by combining artistic, educational, and research activities. The project explores soil both as a creative medium and as a fundamental element of the ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and environmental balance.

An important goal of the project is to develop artistic reflection on the relationship between humans and nature through the use of soil as a primary creative material. During field expeditions in different regions of Poland, artists will collect soil samples with diverse structures, colors, and properties. The collected materials will be used to create natural pigments that will serve as the basis for paintings and artistic objects. The works created within the project will have an experimental and interdisciplinary character, combining painting, installation, and performative as well as process-based artistic practices.

One of the key components of the project will be the creation of a series of several dozen artworks made using soil-based pigments. These will include both large-scale paintings and smaller artistic forms, as well as objects created from materials discovered during the exploration of soil. Some of the works will be subjected to natural processes: selected paintings will be buried in the ground for a specified period of time, allowing nature to directly influence their final appearance and structure. This process will become a form of dialogue between the artist’s actions and the processes occurring in the natural environment.

The project also involves active engagement with local communities through the organization of artistic and educational workshops in the areas where field research is conducted. During the workshops, participants will be able to collect soil samples together with the artists, learn methods of producing natural pigments, and create their own paintings using materials derived from the local environment. These activities will foster a sense of community and support the development of ecological awareness through direct contact with nature and the creative process.

Another important aspect of the project is the documentation of the artistic and expedition process in the form of film and photographic materials, as well as sketches and creative notes. This documentation will become part of the final presentation of the project and an archival record illustrating the creative process and the relationship between art and the natural environment.

Challenges and how they will be addressed

1. Logistics and organization of field expeditions
Challenge: Conducting activities in different regions of Poland may involve organizational difficulties, such as access to locations, weather conditions, or the transportation of materials.
Solution: Detailed planning of the expedition schedule, cooperation with local partners (cultural institutions and community organizations), and maintaining flexibility in planning field activities will help minimize potential difficulties.

2. Diversity of soil quality and properties as an artistic material
Challenge: Soil as a natural material may have varying properties (color, structure, mineral content), which can influence the process of creating pigments and the durability of the artworks.
Solution: The experimental nature of the project involves testing different methods of preparing pigments and documenting their properties. When necessary, natural binders and stabilizing techniques will be used to ensure the durability of the pigments.

3. Engagement of local communities
Challenge: In some locations, it may be difficult to reach potential participants and encourage them to actively engage in the workshops.
Solution: Cooperation with local cultural institutions, schools, and community organizations will help promote the events and reach potential participants. The workshops will be designed as open and accessible activities for different age groups.

4. Influence of natural processes on the artworks
Challenge: Natural factors (moisture, microorganisms, temperature changes) may cause unpredictable transformations in the artworks buried in the soil.
Solution: This process is intentionally incorporated into the concept of the project as a form of dialogue with nature. At the same time, systematic documentation of the changes occurring in the artworks will be carried out, becoming an integral part of the creative process.

5. Documentation and archiving of the creative process
Challenge: The complex creative process, dispersed over time and space, requires coherent and consistent documentation.
Solution: A systematic approach to collecting photographic and video materials, as well as notes from expeditions and workshops, will be implemented. These materials will be archived and used both in the final exhibition and in the promotional activities of the project.

Expected outcomes

The project will result in the creation of a series of original artworks developed using natural pigments derived from soils collected in different regions of Poland. These will include large-scale paintings, smaller artistic forms, and experimental objects created from materials discovered during soil exploration. Together, they will form a coherent artistic collection reflecting the diversity of soils and their cultural and environmental significance.
An important outcome of the project will also be the development and testing of artistic methods for producing and using soil-based pigments. The documented creative process will expand knowledge about the potential of natural materials in contemporary artistic practice and may inspire further projects connecting art, ecology, and environmental research.
The project will also involve local communities through artistic and educational workshops. Participants will gain practical knowledge about natural pigments, soil diversity, and ecological awareness, while creating their own artworks using locally sourced materials.
An additional result will be photographic and video documentation of the artistic process and field expeditions. The project will culminate in an interdisciplinary exhibition presenting the artworks, collected objects, and documentation of the activities, creating a space for dialogue between art, science, and society.
The project is expected to contribute to increasing ecological awareness and promoting environmentally responsible artistic practices developed in collaboration with local communities.