Raised Earth

In preparation for ‘By Itself’, this project is constructed as a foundational element, serving as an experiment for further exploration and intervention.

Work plan:

• collect the soil, clay and potting compost

• weigh and mix the three components, making sure they are well mixed

• add water to achieve the desired consistency

• transport the mixture to the site where the wall will be built

• build a strong internal structure to support the weight of the large mass of soil

• systematically build a frame around the internal structure to ensure it is strong and secure

• fill the frame with the soil mixture, layer by layer, compacting and tamping it to create a solid and stable wall

• allow the tamped soil mix to dry to ensure it is firm and stable

• carefully remove the frame, leaving the solid wall of soil in place

Technical direction by Bert Ghysels, with additional support from Joëlle Wilssens