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Soil is a source and a destination for many forms of life, and bears witness to the history of the Earth. However, humanity sees a long history of soil exploitation, and contemporary society tends to underestimate the critical role soil plays in fostering the conditions necessary for the existence of life on Earth.
This tripartite artwork, comprising a physical sculpture, titled Earthbreakers, located in Brussels' Cinquantenaire Park, and two digital twins, responds to this situation. Compos[t]ing presents a thematically broad and chronologically deep view of the soil, whilst Digital Compos[t]ing explores soil formation and transformation processes beyond immediate human perception as they occur over extremely lengthy periods.
The distinct pieces offer varied perspectives: the physical sculpture grounds itself in tangible earth, inviting tactile engagement, while the digital counterparts transcend human perception, expressing temporal horizons typically imperceptible to the human mind. The knowledge map visualises an interactive text network of undervalued voices and vocabularies on soils from poetic, scientific, and political contexts, expressing the richness within these varied definitions. Together, they form a compelling dialogue, inviting contemplation on the multifaceted nature of soil.
Compos[t]ing installation view at iMAL
More information: Medium Physical Sculpture: Wood, Earth, Grass, Plants, approx. 360 x 200 x 360 (each). Medium physical models: Wood, Earth, Grass, Fibers, Roots, approx: 60 x 60 x 60 cm (each). Medium digital sculpture: Custom software (color, generative algorithm with artificial intelligence): visit the Knowledge Map at this link.
The large-scale artwork combines various crafting knowledge and materials with a wide range of aesthetic, mechanical, and physical characteristics as well as environmental responsiveness. The sculpture functions as a composition of knowledge (human and non-human) that leads us forward and backward at the same time. The project is an attempt to challenge some of the assumptions underlying the contemporary production of our habitations from a material and social/cultural perspective and to rethink the construction industry in the belief that there are better alternatives.
Compos[t]ing, which will investigate new ways of thinking by using knowledge that is already existing, but that can be put into a new context. This proposal involves an exploration of building materials, with an emphasis on local, indigenous, and undervalued knowledge, and re-usability and adjustability as elements of adapting to our changing conditions.
Compos[t]ing website (Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl)
Earthbreakers website (Ingrid Ogenstedt)
The sculpture Earthbreakers can be found at the Parc du Cinquantennaire as part of the NaturArchy exhibition, taking place at iMAL Art Center for Digital Cultures & Technology, 24/5 – 29/9/24. With the support of: Agnes Brandstaetter, Charlotte Burgaud, Manoah Camporini, Amandine Faugère, Roya Keshavarz, Sioban Lopez Dailland, Stefan Piat, Bjørg Dyg Nielsen.
This artwork has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Urban, Brussels Environment, Brucity, BC Materials, C-Mile and Paul Dujardin (strategic and artistic advisor JRC SciArt project).
Ingrid Ogenstedt is a Swedish born artist who works both with large sculptural projects and drawing. Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl is an intradisciplinary artist, architect, and researcher from Austria. Jonah Lynch is a researcher in the fields of digital humanities, physics, philosophy and theology. ERC researcher Jamie Gomez-Ramirez is also collaborating on the scientific side of the project. The group first met and connected at the SciArt Summer School on the topic of NaturArchy which took place in June 2022 at the JRC.
Presentation of Residency | 17/02/2023
Compos[t]ing testimonial with iMAL during the NaturArchy exhibition
Residency at the JRC Ispra | 06/02/2023 - 10/02/2023
Presentation of residency | 09/02/2023
Residency at JRC Brussels | 24/04/2023 - 28/04/2023
Compos[t]ing opening @ Parc du Cinquantenaire | 25/05/2024
Compos[t]ing @ at EUSO Forum | 23/10/2024
Compo[t]ing website (Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl)
Compo[t]ing Catalogue Essay
Artists-in-Residence
Collaborating Researchers & Policymakers
NaturArchy Residencies 2023
NaturArchy Residency Projects
Residency Presentation Recordings
More on NaturArchy: Towards a Natural Contract
More on Resonances IV
More on the Resonances IV Summer School
04 Feb 2026 | 14 Jul 2026
