SPIN-FERT at the World Biodiversity Forum 2026 Davos: Exploring Soil Through Science, Memory and Smell

WORLD BIODIVERSITY FORUM, DAVOS

https://worldbiodiversityforum.org/

The SPIN-FERT project participated in the World Biodiversity Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland, contributing to the dialogue on biodiversity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship through the interactive art-and-science workshop “The Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus” by Prof. Joanna Hoffmann (FASSF-ASN)

The World Biodiversity Forum brings together scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society representatives from around the world to exchange knowledge and develop solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable futures. Within this international context, SPIN-FERT presented an innovative participatory experience that connected soil science with sensory perception, memory, and creativity.

Led by Joanna Hoffmann (Art & Science Node / FASSF), with a contribution from Samuel Bickel (TU Graz), the workshop introduced participants to the hidden world of soil biodiversity and the crucial role of microorganisms in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Participants learned about soil health challenges, the objectives of the EU Mission Soil, and emerging technologies for soil monitoring, including electronic smell detectors that can analyse volatile compounds released by soil microbiomes.

The workshop invited participants to explore soil through the sense of smell. Soil samples provided by ENOMONDO as well as collected from the Congress environments, were presented for sensory exploration, encouraging participants to reflect on the memories, emotions, and associations evoked by each scent. The exercise highlighted how soil is not only a biological resource but also a cultural and emotional medium that connects people to landscapes, places, and personal histories.

These reflections became the basis for the collective creation of a new Memory Molecule—a collaborative molecular poem inspired by RNA, often described as one of the fundamental molecules of life. The resulting structure captured shared memories and experiences associated with soil and biodiversity, demonstrating how artistic methodologies can complement scientific knowledge and foster deeper engagement with environmental issues.

The newly created Memory Molecule will be added to the growing Memory Nexus Archive (https://artscience-node.com/memory-nexus-archive/), a digital collection documenting collective memories inspired by soil. In a later stage, the molecule will also be produced as a biodegradable bioplastic object and returned to the soil, symbolising the cyclical relationship between memory, life, and ecological processes.

The workshop demonstrated the potential of interdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental challenges by combining scientific research, sensory experience, and artistic practice. By cultivating empathy, curiosity, and understanding, “The Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus” encouraged participants to reflect on the often-overlooked biodiversity beneath our feet and on the importance of protecting soil as a living foundation for ecosystems, food production, and human well-being.

Apart from the workshop, Joanna Hoffmann participated in the OASIS exhibition accompanying the Forum, presenting her immersive VR work RhiZone: [M-Other], inspired by underground rhizosphere networks. (https://artscience-node.com/art-mycorrhizal-wealth-of-karpaty-spun-expedition-joanna-hoffmann/)

The Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus is part of the Horizon Europe Mission Soil project SPIN-FERT – Innovative practices, tools and products to boost soil fertility and peat substitution in horticultural crops.

Created by ASN