Soil Mate

2021

Group show Augmented Experiences

Augmented reality sculpture. Virtual artwork located in the Esplanade park next to the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga, Latvia

Curators: Rasa Šmite, Raitis Šmits

Soil is covering our planet's surface and it has a vital role for sustaining life processes. There is a contemporary theory proposing that the Earth is a unified and conscious self-regulating system, consisting of numerous subsystems, in which all organisms and their inorganic surroundings are closely integrated, maintaining conditions for life on the planet. This is the theory of Gaia, named after the Greek goddess who symbolises Earth, which suggests that the planet itself is alive. Soil Mate explores the relationship between art, mythology and science. Inspired by the aesthetics of Stone Age's Venus figures, the virtual 3D sculpture represents the contemporary version of Gaia. It is covered with the texture generated using various soil samples found in the Esplanade Park, where the sculpture is virtually located.

More info about the exhibition Augmented experiences and app Sensus art: sensusart.rixc.org