This exhibition by Jarosław Kozakiewicz explores life beneath the Earth's surface, presenting a conceptual 'underground observatory' that highlights the biodiversity of soil ecosystems. It combines sculptural models, drawings, and microscopic photography to reveal the complex processes and organisms vital to life on our planet.
Jarosław Kozakiewicz's interdisciplinary project 'UNDERGROUND' invites visitors to observe the hidden world of life beneath the surface. Presented at Galeria Rynek 30, the exhibition features a sculptural model of a conceptual building designed as an observatory for subterranean life. This structure is complemented by drawings inspired by natural soil processes and microscopic photographs by Karl Ritz, a professor of soil biology. The exhibition also incorporates soundscapes created by the art collective PEŁNIA, which translate the concept of mycorrhiza – the symbiotic relationship and communication between plants and fungi in soil – into an auditory experience.
Kozakiewicz, who has worked at the intersection of art, science, and architecture for three decades, uses 'UNDERGROUND' to share the latest scientific knowledge about forest ecosystems and soil biology, aiming to raise ecological awareness. By reversing the traditional astronomical observatory concept, the artist directs our gaze downwards, into the darkness where a quarter of Earth's species reside. The exhibition emphasizes the crucial role of this vibrant, unseen mass in sustaining life on the surface. The sound installation 'ELEKTROGLEBA' by PEŁNIA further explores the potential for coexistence and communication between humans, nature, and human-made worlds through sound.