Fuzzy Earth

The Belly Knows Before the Brain proposes a change of perspective on digestion and metabolism: from a purely human bodily function towards an ecological practice in which multiple species participate. The exhibition is thus responding to the ecological crises that disrupt the metabolic flows of our planet, such as soil degradation, weakened nutrient cycles or the overexploitation of finite resources like phosphorous. It also addresses societal attitudes and emotional relationships to compost and decay, which are mostly characterised by discomfort and alienation. Fuzzy Earth approaches these notions with ecological understanding and emotional sensitivity. They view decay not as a threat but as a natural part of life and as fertile ground for new beginnings.

The site-specific installation is conceived as the belly of the universe. Within its gurgling, bubbling interior, digestion becomes spatially, sensorially and collectively tangible. Planetary digestive organisms, embodied as ceramic and wooden sculptures, inhabit the space. At once sculpture and tool, they encourage human interaction and support the flow of the collective metabolism. Woollen objects offer spaces of rest and, after human contact, they become hosts for new microbial life. A compost heap in the courtyard, maturing through nurture provided by visitors, connects the interior with the exterior. Shaped by fermentation, composting and nutrient cycles, the exhibition transforms into a living system – a space that is at once a kitchen, compost and multispecies commons.

The Belly Knows Before the Brain does not seek answers but encourages us to practice attentiveness. The exhibition hence creates a space where we can trust the knowledge of the body, the intelligence of microbes and the generosity of decomposition. Decay never signifies mere loss; it is always the beginning of new relationships.

The exhibition was realized with the support of Emma Ilka Armstrong, Dalma Gedeon, Dániel Gaál, Sophie Führer, Bálint Kiss, Uwe Kolitsch, Vencel Kustra, Rebeka Rácz, Luca Radler, Tamás Révész, Bettina Riedl, Marc Richards, and Emőke Vajda.

Biography
Fuzzy Earth (Tekla Gedeon and Sebastian Gschanes) take a research-based working approach and position their work at the intersection of architecture, design, art, agriculture and technology. Their practice combines material experimentation, ecological storytelling and speculative design to rethink human–nonhuman relationships.

Tekla Gedeon studied architecture at the AA School in London and is currently pursuing a PhD at MOME in Budapest on food and narratives in ecological art. Sebastian Gschanes is a gardener, landscape architect and researcher, exploring nature, ecology and agriculture, in both practice and theory.

Curators
Stephan Kuss & Veronika Hackl

With support from

Wollwerkstatt