The exhibition explores the profound connections between soil, water, and life. Through empathy, artistic perspectives, and transcoding practices, four international and national artists from different generations come together to articulate a collective vision of soil as a fundamental ally in shaping a sustainable future.

Soil is alive—and lives with us. It is not monolithic but an organism, holding memory, carrying traces of past civilizations and different living beings, and nourishing every future we can imagine. Recognizing its vitality means acknowledging our interdependence with the ecosystems that sustain life. By translating scientific knowledge into sensorial narratives and shared experiences, the exhibition opens pathways for awareness and responsibility. The voices of soil—its textures, subtle rhythms, and silent resilience—become bridges between cultures, reminding us that we are custodians of a fragile and irreplaceable heritage.

Developed within the framework of the Horizon Europe–funded project SoilTribes – Glocal Ecosystems Restoring Soil Values, Roles and Connectivity, the exhibition is presented at Serralves as part of the European project SoilScape and after in seven European institutions, including Villa Altieri – Città Metropolitana di Roma, Posavski Muzej Brežice in Slovenia, the National Gallery of Bulgaria in Sofia, Milanowskie Centrum Kultury in Poland, and Castel Belasi – Contemporary Art Center for Eco Thought in the Alps.

The exhibition is organized by the Global Network of Water Museums (WAMU+NET), curated by Stefano Cagol and coordination by Marta Tavares (Serralves Foundation)

“SOIL ART TALES. Living Ecosystems for Shared Futures”: an exhibition organised by the Global Water Museum Network, in partnership with the Serralves Foundation. The exhibition is curated by Stefano Cagol and implemented as part of the EU-funded “SoilTribes” project, a Horizon Europe project developed under the “Mission Soil – Soil Deal for Europe” competition, funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA).