Soil Culture Workshop

Soil  is vital to life on earth and has been fundamental to the formation of  cultures since the beginning of civilisation. It underpins our daily  lives and the survival of our planet as we know it.

Please reserve your tickets here. 

This  workshop intents to connect you closely to nature and develop your  understanding of soil and cultures in art and science. It aims to  inspire new ways of seeing and thinking in order to broaden your own  practice.

Soil  is a complex ecosystem made up of minerals, water, air, organic matter,  symbiotic communities of bacteria and micro- and macro-organisms. These organisms play a crucial role to soil health which in turn affects our climate.

We  will assess Freightliners Farm for a variety of soil types. Working on  the cusp of art and science, we will explore pigmentation as well as the  chromatography process in order to make visible the invisible wonders  of soil. We will consider the results as works of art in its own right  and explore its potential as a barometer of soil and planetary health.

Agenda:

- Participant introduction

- Presentation: Soil & Culture

- Field Work sampling and assessing soil

• Introduction to chromatography and hands-on experimentation with the basic chromatography process (not-silver nitrate based)
• Examination of visual results and its potential as climate barometer
• Participant reflection on the workshop and its value to your practice going forward

No background in science is necessary but a curiosity about the wonders of the natural world are a given.

Please wear sturdy footwear and adequate clothing for working outdoors and in an unheated classroom.

About Freightliners Farm: Freightliners  City Farm is a 2.5 acres green space in the very urban London Borough  of Islington. It is a small community farm where a diverse range of  people take part in farming and gardening and people can visit and spend  time in a countryside type environment in the city.

Following on from the workshop you are encouraged to spend time exploring the farm.

Led by artist Myka Baum, ‘Soil  Culture’ was the title of a programme and publication created by the  Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World in 2015 to mark the UN  International Year of Soils.