Art & Science projects being developed by Joanna Hoffmann with the ASN Team in the frame of the SPIN-FERT/ Horizon Europe (Misson Soil) program
RhiZones is an immersive XR artwork series by Joanna Hoffmann that takes a unique artistic approach, drawing inspiration from the vast, interconnected networks of the rhizosphere—the symbiotic relationships between plant roots, fungi, and microorganisms. These natural networks, based on symbiosis, diversity, and interdependence, have evolved over millions of years to secure sustainable growth and survival for all organisms involved. The rhizosphere exemplifies a profound holobiosis, where life thrives through cooperation, creating dynamic ecosystems that adapt and evolve over deep time.
Currently, two RhiZones are being developed as part of the SPIN-FERT EU research on healthy soil and peat-free substrates: RhiZone: [Soil/Soul] and RhiZone: [Bog-Land]. They highlight the interconnectedness of life, bridging the gap between nature and culture while advocating for the protection of wetlands and sustainable horticultural practices.
RhiZone: [Soil/Soul] is devoted to the processes occurring in soil, and RhiZone: [Bog-Land] to the endangered worlds of wetlands and peatlands.
RhiZones’ aim is not to reconstruct the past but to reimagine our future relationship with soil and wetlands. They ask: What kind of cultural narratives do we need to make the science of soil and wetlands resonate with society? How can we restore healthy soil and preserve wetlands not only ecologically but also emotionally and spiritually?
In this project, nature is a vital resource, a partner, a memory, and a sacred presence. Through the synthesis of immersive media, scientific knowledge, and poetic storytelling, RhiZones become a space of reflection, reconnection, and hope.
As an artist, I envision myself as a part of an immense network of connections and interdependencies. In this meta-rhizosphere, life, in its many forms, is a continuously evolving, self-organizing system. This imagined network bridges the deep past, present, and speculative future(s), where organic and inorganic structures merge into one intelligent system. It is a dynamic network of data processing, scaling, and adapting where embodied memory becomes central to understanding life and its evolution.
RhiZone: [Soil/Soul]
RhiZone: [Soil/Soul] is an immersive multimedia art project that delves into the profound interconnections between soil and soul. It explores soil not merely as a substrate for life but as a living, breathing entity integral to our existence. The art project seeks to bridge the gap between scientific and cultural understanding and perception of soil.
Through an immersive multi-sensual experience, RhiZone: [Soil/Soul] invites participants to engage with the subterranean world. It translates complex soil processes, such as microbial activity and nutrient cycles, into personal experiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for the vital role soil plays in sustaining life.
By intertwining scientific research with artistic expression, RhiZone: [Soil/Soul] aims to cultivate a sense of empathy and responsibility towards soil health. It underscores the necessity of sustainable practices and highlights the soul of the soil as a reflection of our personal and collective impact on the environment.
Collaborations and Networks
The project is rooted in ongoing collaborations within scientific and artistic frameworks. It intersects with the EU Horizon Europe research initiative SPIN-FERT (“Innovative practices, tools and products to boost soil fertility and peat substitution in horticultural crops”) and the Rhizosphere: The Big Network of Small World platform, which combines art, science, and education.
