Excavating Identity: The Significance of Soil Exhibitions for Understanding Place

Exhibition design, as a powerful medium of communication and interpretation, can reveal the hidden richness and regional identity embedded within the subterranean layers of soil. This research explores the artistic potential of soil, a resource often overlooked and buried beneath urban infrastructure. By showcasing the unique textures, colours, and structures of soil through carefully curated exhibitions, we can foster a deeper understanding of place and challenge the homogenisation of our urban landscapes. Reflecting on four soil exhibitions, including 2D and 3D displays as well as interactive gallery exhibitions, this research reflects on the potential of exhibitions to convey a message. This approach not only informs aesthetic decisions but also promotes the development of an authentic regional aesthetic, rooted in the very earth beneath our feet.