Is soil a superfood? New edible earth exhibit begins Nov 1
Since ancient times, people have believed in the sacredness of the earth and honor soil with different traditions. Sometimes these traditions include engaging in eating soil, also called geophagy. From 1 November until 17 December a new exhibit, Earth as Superfood, showcasing edible soils from around the world begins in two locations on Wageningen University and Research (WUR) campus, in the World Soil Museum and in the Impulse building.
The Museum of Edible Earth is curated by Amsterdam-based artist Masharu and brings together a collection of edible soils from across the globe. The exhibit invites the audience to review their knowledge about food and cultural traditions using creative thinking.
The Museum of Edible Earth addresses the following questions: What stands behind earth-eating tradition? Where does the edible earth come from? What are the possible benefits and dangers of eating earth? How do the material properties of the earth affect its flavor?
In the Impulse building (WUR building 115, Stippeneng 2, 6708 PD Wageningen) the exhibit is available for viewing at 9:00-17:00 Monday – Friday. At the World Soil Museum (Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen), the exhibit is viewable during the museum’s public hours on Wednesday afternoons from 13:00-18:00 and during weekdays by appointment
Two special events will take place in November and December where guests are invited to learn about and explore soil which it is possible to eat and, in some places around the world, part of important cultural traditions.
Events for the exhibit
Thursday, November 4, 2021 - Soil Tasting event at the World Soil Museum from 12:30-14:00
Everyone is welcome to join a soil tasting event at the World Soil Museum. The event will include dialogue about the use of the senses like the habit of soil surveyors to put soil in their mouth during scientific soil description. Participants can voluntarily choose to consume limited amounts of processed and pure soil, the exact composition of which is not known. The consumption of this soil is entirely at the risk of the participants. WUR and ISRIC – World Soil Information are not liable for damage resulting from the earth consumption.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - "Earth as Superfood" symposium [this event was re-scheduled from its original date in December]
The symposium will explore edible soil In the context of a general humanitarian crisis, and questioning of the food industry: can we approach earth as a superfood? What could be the benefits and harms of eating soil? Check the Impulse website for details.
The Museum of Edible Earth is supported by the Creative Industries Fund NL, Stichting Niemeijer Fonds and Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Tijl Fonds. The work of masharu is supported by the Mondriaan Fund.