Singing SoilWhat does the soil beneath our feet sound like—and what stories does it hold?
Three soil-topped plinths house speakers that emit soundscapes and reactive lighting, driven by nematode data. Mist drifts through the space, echoing the Dutch landscape’s atmospheric qualities. The work immerses viewers within the soil itself, making the hidden impacts of land use on biodiversity tangible.
Do you want to experience Singing Soil? Look at the list of events underneath!
Events25 September
Workshop
During this afternoon, through a musical art installation, you will experience how soil data and nematodes unearth the hidden stories of biodiversity and land use in the Netherlands. You will take part in a listening session and an active multidisciplinary workshop, where science, art, and collaboration come together. Together as researchers, policy makers, artists, farmers, business owners and locals, we will lay the foundation for a healthy and resilient soil for the future. And, to top it off, we will conclude with drinks and bites from Ran’s Kantine.
Get a free ticket here (limited availability!)
14.00-17.30
EnergieKas
Helena van Doeverenplantsoen 3, Den Haag
26 SeptemberExhibition (Hoogtij)
What does the soil sound like, and what stories lie hidden beneath our feet? Step into the immersive sound and light installation Singing Soil at EnergieKas, where scientific data from nematodes makes the hidden impact of land use on biodiversity audible. Studio Metaform and Doina Mani (WUR) take you into the invisible world of fascinating microorganisms and their essential ecological stories.
Free entry.
19.00-23.00
EnergieKas
Helena van Doeverenplantsoen 3, Den Haag
5 OctoberExhibition (Weekend van de Wetenschap)
Put on a pair of headphones and listen to the special music made from the presence of tiny worms (nematodes) in Dutch soil. This way you can hear the difference between a grassland and a cornfield. Discover the hidden impact of land use on nature and biodiversity. During the Weekend of Science, Studio Metaform takes you into the invisible world of these fascinating microorganisms.
This event is intended for children age 8-14.
Free entry.
12.00-16.00
Vrouw aan het IJ
Buiksloterweg 7A, Amsterdam
8 OctoberListening Session (Wageningen University & Research)
How can we use art to make scientific research more accessible, understandable, and tangible for a wider audience? With the project Singing Soil, Doina Mani (PhD candidate Soil Biology, WUR) and Studio Metaform take you into the invisible world of soil biodiversity. They translate complex research data into an immersive musical experience, allowing you to hear and feel for yourself how music can bridge the gap between science and society. With discussion and Q&A.
Free entry (tell the reception desk you’re coming for Singing Soil).
12.30-13.30
Gaia Plateau, Gaia (WUR)
Droevendaalsesteeg 3, Wageningen
11 OctoberExhibition (Museumnacht)
What does the soil sound like, and what stories lie hidden beneath our feet? Step into the immersive sound and light installation Singing Soil at EnergieKas, where scientific data from nematodes makes the hidden impact of land use on biodiversity audible. Studio Metaform and Doina Mani (WUR) take you into the invisible world of fascinating microorganisms and their essential ecological stories.
Entry with Museumnacht ticket.
19.00-00.00
EnergieKas
Helena van Doeverenplantsoen 3, Den Haag
18 — 26 OctoberExhibition (Dutch Design Week)
What does the soil sound like, and what stories lie hidden beneath our feet? Step into the immersive sound and light installation Singing Soil at Dutch Design Week, where scientific data from nematodes makes the hidden impact of land use on biodiversity audible. Studio Metaform and Doina Mani (WUR) take you into the invisible world of fascinating microorganisms and their essential ecological stories.
Entry with DDW ticket.
11.00-18.00
Evoluon
Noord Brabantlaan 1A, Eindhoven
NematodesNematodes are the most abundant animal on the planet, outnumbering us in ways that stretch the imagination. There are 57 billion of these tiny worms for every human on planet earth.
But they are far more than just worms: they are grazers, predators, parasites, decomposers, and even vectors of disease. They provide a core function in the food web by ferrying nutrients from bacteria, fungi and detritus back to the soil.
They are essential and some are harmful. Nematodes are as diverse as they are populous. It’s their world, we’re just living in it.
Supported by