Tools of Rekindling

The exhibition

Curated by Elena Genesio and Emmie Massias, the exhibition delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the mining of natural resources, blurred practices of land management, and shifting value of raw materials in globalised economies. Through a series of objects and installations by Studio Eidola, Elena Genesio and Emmie Massias, Benedetta Pompili, Studio ThusThat and Maja Wachowska, the exhibition unfolds how designers engage with both natural and repurposed materials at the intersection of humanity and territory. Whether by exploring local craftsmanship, industry by-products, or critical reflections on extraction and depletion, the works reveal how soil, often overlooked yet foundational to our communities, brings to light complex socio-political shifts and environmental challenges— from soil contamination to drought, desertification and waste management.

The projects

Within the exhibition, each project emphasizes a distinct raw material and extraction process, carrying a set of environmental and cultural narratives tied to a locality. Together, the pieces encourage us to reconsider landscapes as ever-evolving ecosystems, influenced by the complexity of geo-political dynamics. Ultimately, “Tools of Rekindling” invites us to envision a future where our relationship with soil is not defined by exploitation but by collective engagement, resilience, and the fostering of regenerative material cycles in post-industrial economies.