The Breath of Soil – Memory Nexus

Poznan, Poland

Workshop for art students led by Prof. Joanna Hoffmann, ass. Mateusz Janik

Date: 17.03.2025
Location: University of Arts in Poznań, Studio for Transdisciplinary Projects and Research

On March 17, 2025, students of the University of Arts in Poznań took part in an interdisciplinary workshop combining natural sciences with artistic exploration as part of the European project SPIN-FERT EU /Mission Soil.

The Breath of Soil: Memory Nexus is a participatory art & science project in which scent acts as a link between soil memory and human memory. It also refers to scent as one of the basic communication tools in nature’s networks.

1. Introducing SPIN-FERT and the EU Mission Soil

The workshop began with a presentation on the Horizon Europe project SPIN-FERT, an innovative EU-funded initiative focused on sustainable agriculture. Participants were introduced to the project’s core goals: transforming agricultural by-products into high-quality fertilisers and peat-free substrates. The session also highlighted SPIN-FERT’s use of cutting-edge technologies all aimed at enhancing soil fertility and supporting circular economy principles. The presentation contextualized the workshop within the broader framework of the EU Mission Soil, underlining the importance of healthy soil for Europe’s future.

2. The Breath of Soil – Memory Nexus: Conceptual Grounding

The second part of the workshop delved into the Memory Nexus project. Participants explored the sense of smell as a sensory language and a gateway to memory by discussing how olfactory experiences can reveal hidden dimensions of soil—its living processes, its history, and its emotional resonance. Smell was framed as a form of knowledge and communication, often neglected in scientific and artistic practices, but crucial in shaping our perception of the environment.

3. Sensory Encounter with Soil Samples

In collaboration with scientists from SPIN-FERT Consortium (InHORT and Enomondo) a curated composition of soil and compost sample was presented to the students for olfactory exploration. The sample carried distinct scents, evoking biological richness and organic transformation. Participants engaged in silent, mindful smelling sessions, allowing them to connect deeply with the earthy materials and awaken intuitive, memory-based responses.

4. Memory Writing Session

Following the sensory experience, students were invited to write short texts or fragments of memories inspired by the smells. The writing session was deeply introspective and emotionally resonant. Many participants shared reflections that touched on childhood landscapes, gardens, family and nature. The soil became not just a physical object but a carrier of memory and emotion.

5. Conclusion

The workshop concluded with a group discussion, where students exchanged insights and impressions. Many noted how the non-visual and non-verbal experience of smell opened new pathways for creative thinking. The conversation revolved around the potential of integrating sensorial knowledge into artistic practice and environmental awareness.

The Breath of Soil – Memory Nexus workshop offered a rare opportunity to connect science, art, and the senses, opening up a new space for understanding the intimate and ecological meaning of soil. Through smell, memory, and creativity, students explored how the earth beneath our feet can speak—if we learn how to listen through all our senses.

The workshop served as an educational experience and a call to reimagine our relationship with the soil, to inspire artistic inquiry and deepen environmental connections.