Soil and earth form the foundation for all life on our planet.
Without healthy soil, ecosystems as we know them cannot exist. However, it is precisely this soil that is increasingly under threat – from intensive agricultural use, excessive use of pesticides and the progressive sealing of large areas. In urban areas in particular, this not only leads to the loss of fertile soil, but also to the creation of so-called heat islands. With devastating consequences.
‘SOIL – Songs from the Underground’ is centred around the topic of soil from an artistic perspective. It focuses on the impact of human activity on biodiversity and the complex but fascinating interaction of soil organisms. The project uses a variety of methods to demonstrate how essential healthy soils are for life on our planet – and aims to raise awareness on the need for mindful, sustainable use of this vital resource.
Five musicians from the minciospace_ Arbeitskreis formed an ensemble early in 2025 and have been working on SOIL ever since. Collaborating with biologist Susanne Kapelari, and in the future with other experts as well, enriches the artistic process with solid scientific facts that flow directly into the musicians' work.
Five musicians, five perspectives, five approaches that couldn't be more different. The first compositions will be presented for the first time in November as part of the Für/Sorge Showings at minciospace_. In the long term, the plan is to develop a joint stage programme and expand into new thematic areas.
SOIL originated from an initiative by biologist Susanne Kapelari, who initiated a project in 2023 as part of an EU funding application, with minciospace_ as a planned partner. Even though the original research project was not funded, this encounter led to the development of an independent artistic project – driven by the need to raise public awareness of the complex and often overlooked topic of soil.
