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SciArt: Science art society

Compos[t]ing - for NaturArchy catalogue

Composting installation view at iMAL.jpg
Installation view of Composting at iMAL

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.

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.

Ingrid M. Ogenstedt, Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl & Jonah Lynch 

In collaboration with: Calogero Schillaci, Arwyn Jones and Jaime Gomez Ramirez

The physical sculpture Earthbreakers can be found at the Parc du Cinquantennaire as part of the exhibition. Constructed 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

Ingrid Ogenstedt is a Swedish born artist who works both with large sculptural projects and drawing. She studied at Umeå Art Academy (SE) and under Prof. Ingo Vetter at University of the Arts Bremen (DE). She has created site-specific sculptures for Galerie Wedding, Berlin (DE), the Luleå Biennale 2020 (SE), Wadden Tide, Blåvandshuk (DK) and Kjerrinøy Land Art Biennale (NO). She recently was given a two-year-working grant from the Swedish Art Council and was one of the fifteen selected artists for the Goldrausch Program 2021 in Berlin (DE). I love crossing of interest and to meet professionals who are as passionate about their work as I am. I truly enjoy learning about new materials, discussing ways to solve a specific problem, technical, ecstatic or economical. Collaborations always generates new ideas and unexpected results. I change my materials as a way to push myself in new directions. This is also a reason for me to reach out and find new contexts and interesting people to collaborate with. To find experts and people who have knowledge that I lack, but put in conversation with, both parties have something to gain. Creativity thrives to think new thought, imagine the unimaginable and bend the rules of reality and create/find new rules. Put yourself in the risk of failing, but thats what you pay to always try new ideas, new settings and step outside that what you know to be true. 

Website 

Instagram: @ingridogensted

Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl

Ingrid Mayrhofer-Hufnagl is an intradisciplinary artist, architect, and researcher from Austria whose work bridges the realms of architecture, art, and science. Her diverse creations range from architectural installations, video art, and sculpture, to scientific research all infused with cutting-edge technology to explore innovative ways of synergizing the built and natural environments. By delving into scales from the planetary to the microscopic, her work transcends human temporal and spatial perception, challenging our own understanding of existence and the unseen consequences of our actions. Ingrid holds a Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Innsbruck, where she leads groundbreaking projects on AI and architecture. Her artistic work has been showcased at numerous festivals and exhibitions. She is also the editor of "Architecture, Futurability and the Untimely: On the Unpredictability of the Past" and has contributed peer-reviewed articles to various esteemed journals. 

Website

Instagram 

LinkedIn

Jonah Lynch

Since childhood, I have tried to live up to the ideal of the “renaissance man”: competent in many fields, endlessly curious. My search for knowledge about origins and destinies led me first to study Physics, then Philosophy and Theology, and now History. Along with humanistic interests, I have always been interested in technology. I am excited to dedicate my wide-ranging skills and experiences to exploring intelligence and improving research and education.

LinkedIn profile

Composting at Parc du Cinquantenaire view
Installation view of Parc du Cinquantenaire