Picture a world without soil

What effects does human activity have on the landscape portrayed by Van Gogh in Les Vessenots in Auvers?

How are the health of our soils and the quality of our food linked? 

The world’s healthy soil is degrading at a rapid rate. In fact, 40%* of the world’s soil is already depleted, and the rest could be at risk if we don’t act.

The installation Picture a world without soil, presented by Heinz in collaboration with the museum, takes us on a journey that begins with the unsettling outlook for 2074, a countryside with no arable land to grow food, passing through the current degradation of the soils in 2023, and arriving at the richness of the fertile land in 1890 - the year Van Gogh created the work, a scenery to which we can return if we take action. With this we are able to appreciate alternative versions of "Les Vessenots", located on the outskirts of Auvers where the painter spent his last days, inviting us to reflect on the impact of our actions on soil health.

A look into the future

The proposal also underlines the relevance of actions aimed at improving the state of arable land, showing us that, through sustainable and regenerative practices, it is possible to reverse current trends and ensure good food for future generations.

*UN, 2022.