CURIOSOIL | Artathon

I attended the World Soil Information CURIOSOIL Artathon workshop on Thursday 5th June, which is an information based, hybrid workshop in the Netherlands. 25 artists are invited to submit a proposal for an artwork to be displayed in various locations in the Netherlands, Portugal and other European cities.

https://www.isric.org/news/curiosoil-call-artists-artathon-exploring-art-soil

Earth Pigments

Ochre

Sienna

Umber

Terra Rossa

Terra Verte

Non-Soil Pigments

Ultramarine - lapis lazuli

Azurite - copper carbonate mineral

Indigo - plant based

Vermillion - mercury sulfide (toxic)

Carmine - cocchineal beetles

Lead white - corroding lead in vinegar and horse manure (very toxic)

Bone black - charring animal bones

Purple - mixing red and blue from above

Gold - metal

These were very expensive and highly unstable so difficult to standardise.

On reflection I think the workshop was interesting, particularly the focus on Earth pigments but I am not sure I will be able to come up with a proposal that I really want to do by the end of June. I have several submissions, the final show and then two painting shows to come up with and I would quite like some time off in between. I just didn’t feel excited about it and I will take that into account. I will think about it and scribble down some thoughts and see where I am in a few days.