So(U)lo - Thinking the Earth: the importance of soils

Soil is a critical, finite, and often overlooked natural resource. Its formation is extremely slow, taking hundreds of years to develop just a few centimeters, while its degradation can occur almost immediately due to processes such as erosion, contamination, or soil sealing. This competition aims not only to raise awareness about the urgency of soil protection, but also to encourage critical reflection on everyday practices and land-use models.

Open to diverse communities and age groups, the competition encourages the creation of artistic narratives that make visible the role of soils within ecological and social systems. Applications may be submitted individually or in groups. Participation is free of charge, and submissions may include works from various artistic fields, using a wide range of techniques and media.

The competition is part of the European project Soil! I see you! - Unveiling Urban Soil Threats Through Art, coordinated by APECV, in partnership with RdA Climate Solutions and Quinta Oficina, and funded under the SoilTribes programme within the framework of the EU Mission Soil.

The initiative promotes the exploration of visual arts, design, performance, creative writing, and multimedia as means to deepen the relationship between society and soil, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Soils perform essential functions, namely: support food systems; regulate the water cycle; sustain biodiversity and; contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

However, it is estimated that more than 60% of soils in the European Union are degraded, mainly due to pressures such as erosion, contamination, and increasing land sealing.

In this context, the competition serves as a tool for awareness-raising and capacity-building, promoting new forms of representation and interpretation of soil that can mobilize society towards its protection and valorisation.

More information and full regulations: [at this link].