Empire of Dirt.
“Empire of Dirt considers our relationship with the constructed landscape. Where does that put us as observers and participants in an interwoven biology with the body, the landscape and in the structures that we build?”
Artist, James Geurts.
Empire of Dirt.
A strange new world where termites take over a city laneway.
Empire of Dirt was a large-scale experimental public art-installation, investigating the complexity of the living earth beneath our feet. It proposed a speculative future where soil biology may adapt to survive the ecological tipping point of the Earth.
With a focus on how public art can engage citizens in the governance of environmental concerns within cities, the project began with matching artists together with scientists researching sustainability at RMIT University.
Artist James Geurts and environmental microbiologist, Professor Andy Ball were selected to produce a temporary experimental artwork. Over the period of six months researching in Ball’s lab with PHD students, they developed an evocative, dynamic and thought provoking artwork. The work combined sculpture and lightbox drawing and illuminated a busy Melbourne laneway in the heart of the University campus.
Rolls:
Creative Strategy
Artist/Scientist shortlist & process
Artists panel management & selection
Creative Production
Communications direction
Public Relations
Stakeholder management
Impact
> 1 million views across national radio, Australian Science TV, print, art and innovation podcasts, RMIT University science, architecture, art and general alumni, staff and students EDM’s
Development of an ongoing artists residency program
Launch, conference and panel talks
New student activation for RMIT open day
Artist:
James Guets
Scientist:
Professor Andy Ball
Funding Partners:
RMIT University
Collaborators
RMIT’s Centre for Art Society and Transformation and Centre for Environment, Sustainability and Remediation.
Carbon Arts
RMIT’s New Academic Street’s Urban Animators: Living Laboratory program
Lightscape Projects RMIT