Forum Nantesbuch - Open House

Free admission – no registration required

During the Open House, the Forum Nantesbuch’s Soil Summit opens its doors to the public. The event kicks off with the opening of the outdoor photo exhibition *TheEarth from Above*by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Afterward, visitors can explore, listen to, and creatively discover soil—through paper-making, printing with earth pigments, or at the soil sound stations. The program also features video and social media workshops, discussions, lectures, and a multimedia caterpillar show, offering perspectives on soil and nature that have been largely unknown until now.

OPEN PROGRAM

3:30–4:00 p.m.: Exhibition Opening: “Earth from Above”

French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand will be in Nantesbuch in person for the opening of his photo exhibition*The Earth from Above*. His large-format aerial photographs show our planet from unusual perspectives.

A conversation with science journalist Pierre Girard (ARTE). In French with translation.
The exhibition takes place outdoors and is not wheelchair accessible.

4:15–4:45 p.m.: What’s Happening Under Our Feet

Antonia Simm, director at Checker Tobi, meets farmer and agricultural influencer Marie Hoffmann. Together, they discuss soil, agriculture, and how to explain complex interrelationships in a simple and understandable way.

5:00–5:30 p.m.: Vue du cœur – A Conversation with Yann Arthus-Bertrand

From lion observer to world-renowned photographer and environmentalist: Yann Arthus-Bertrand looks back on an extraordinary life. In conversation with Pierre Girard (ARTE), he talks about his journey, his photography, and what has shaped his view of our planet.

5:45–6:15 p.m.: Multimedia Caterpillar Show

Caterpillars can do much more than just turn into butterflies. Natalia Eulberg takes us into their amazing world—with images, sounds, surprising facts, and live caterpillars. Anyone who dares can try “caterpillar poop tea” at the end.

3:30–6:30 p.m.

Printing with Earth Pigments
Slovenian artist Anja Jeršič Jakob and the Sinclair Haus Museum demonstrate how ecological printing inks are made from soil. Using hand-carved stamps, participants will create soil postcards and a collaborative artwork.

Handmade Paper with Plant Fibers
Together with Maja Pučl from PABLAB in Ljubljana and the Sinclair Haus Museum, invasive plants will be transformed into handmade paper. Flowers you’ve collected yourself can be incorporated directly into the paper.

Soil Sound Trail with Soilcast
With Christoph Genzel from Soilcast, soil becomes audible: At various stations, visitors can experience earthworms slurping and more. The event will also demonstrate how the soil microphones work—which Soilcast lends to interested participants.

Testing Compostable Materials
What exactly is compost? And how well do compostable packaging and cutlery break down in the soil? Results from the foundation’s permaculture garden show what happens to various everyday materials in the soil.

Science Stage and Discovery Space
On the Science Stage and in the Discovery Space, visitors can discover solutions, ideas, and projects related to soil, food, climate, and sustainable land use—drawing from science, business, technology, and education.

WORKSHOPS (Fee required—registration required) –Book here

3:30–5:15 p.m.: Macro photography workshop with Sebastian Frölich

5:00–7:00 p.m. (or 2:30–4:30 p.m.): Video workshop with Antonia Simm

3:30–5:15 p.m.: Macro photography workshop with Sebastian Frölich

5:30–6:30 p.m.: Instagram workshop with Marie Hoffmann

October 2 and 3 (2.5 hours each day) (15 participants): Graphic Novel Workshop

Services & Event Attendance

Food and beverage sales (starting at 3:30 p.m.)