"Journey to the Rhizosphere" Exhibit Examines Interconnections Between Plant Roots and Soil Ryzomes

"Journey to the Rhizosphere" is a collaborative educational and conceptual art exhibit which focuses on the fascinating world of the rhizosphere – the micro universe that surrounds plant roots. The exhibit, on display during the month of April, offers a very special closing reception which is free and open to all on Saturday, April 26. Lead artist Susan A. Edwards, of Pepperell, Mass. curates this exhibit which features drawings and soundscapes which aim to give viewers a new appreciation for soil as a "vital, living system with physical, chemical and biological components." "I am an eco-agro-artist, committed to supporting biodiversity and sustainability, with a focus on farming, food security and land conservation," says Edwards. Her current exhibit was inspired by her interest in soil biomes, and lessons she learned from soil scientists at the Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA/Mass). "Soil is so much more than pulverized sand, stone, decayed plant material and minerals," says Edwards. "Healthy soil microbiomes are complex systems full of tiny, microscopic bacteria, fungi, protists and creatures that do big work to keep delicate ecosystems in balance." Edwards, a former member of the Board of Directors for the Nashua River Watershed Association, holds long-time memberships in peace, bicycle advocacy and land conservation organizations. Two composers and multi-instrumentalists Cosmo Sheldrake of the United Kingdom and Ben Cosgrove of New Hampshire contributed some of their recordings to the exhibit. Sheldrake's music features subterranean sounds he recorded with microphones buried in the soil and Cosgrove contributed his "Slope" composition, which he recorded on a felted upright piano. ARTIST SUSAN EDWARDS The Sentinel spoke with Artist Susan Edwards who grew up in Creve Coeur, Miss. but now lives in Pepperell, Mass. about this exhibit and how she got interested in the field. Here's an excerpt of the conversation: Victoria Chertok: Hi Sue, it's nice to talk with you this morning. How did you get interested in soil microbiomes? Susan Edwards: Several years ago I was volunteering at a local organic farm called Upswing Farm in Pepperell. We were harvesting leeks. I pulled out a leek. It was so healthy — (it) had this full head of rooty hair and so much character. I fell in love with it. My farm vegetables tasted so good, and they had their personalities and that was the start of it. I started to investigate why my vegetables tasted so good and were so beautiful. I connected with John Duke and Rubén Parrilla of NOFA-Mass. John is "Mr. Compost" and Rubén is passionate about soil. Rubén was doing a study at Upswing Farm, bringing in the spent growing substrates from a mushroom growing operation. He was inoculating a patch of soil to see if it would increase microbiome activity. V.C.: Interesting! How did the exhibit come about at the Harris Center? S.E.: I love everything that the Harris Center does. They offer fantastic programs. I am a supporter and had this exhibit at my local library: "Loving the leek and the soil it grows in." So, this is phase two of the exhibit at the Harris Center. V.C.: Describe what you hope the viewers will see. S.E.: They will see a few diagrams that incorporate my illustrations which explain what the rhizosphere is, and they will see conceptual art about the rhizosphere, photosynthesis and mutualism. V.C.: What excites you about the rhizosphere? S.E.: It is really about mutualism. Underneath our feet is this amazing relationship that is happening between the plants and microbes. The microbes are getting something from the plants and human beings are getting something from this whole process. On a macro level we put our own selves out there in the world. V.C.: What do you think we can do to get youth to pay more attention to sustainability and eco-agriculture? S.E.: It's places like the Harris Center and educational institutions that focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to really get kids to see how it's all connected. Science doesn't operate in a vacuum; you have to use your imagination. Looking through microscopes and using their imaginations is what I see. V.C.: In 2007 you made an award-winning film "Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000" and I heard she will be attending the closing reception! Tell me about her work. S.E.: When I first moved to Pepperell and was here for a few years, I was asked to be a chaperone on Nashua River; hiking and kayaking and stuff. I learned about the history of the river. In the 1960s it was one of the most polluted rivers in our country. During the Vietnam era, Marion was a mother with three young children. She was always a social activist. She was looking for meaning in her life and she mobilized a massive citizen effort going from town to town and meeting with decision makers. She thought that if she educated them, they would make the right decision. So, they signed a clean water act in our country to focus on cleaning up our nation's waterways. Marion is now 96 years old, and she will be at the closing reception. She's really a rock star. She inspires people to know that they can make a difference. V.C.: Tell me about the closing reception on April 26. S.E.: I would love people to come to the closing reception because it is going to be fun. We're going to have a microbe drawing table. They can look at them through a microscope and they can draw their own. We're going to: Make a miniature microbe mobile Hear bioelectric underground signals set to music by Cosmo Sheldrake Hear a special recording of "Slope" by Ben Cosgrove Learn heart-warming, microbe factoids to share with your friends Enjoy nature-inspired refreshments This exhibit is appealing to people of all ages. There is a jigsaw puzzle that tells the story about this work; how when we put our hands in the soil you get many benefits. For the closing reception my friend made a dirt cake and she will be there again with surprises. THE HARRIS CENTER The Harris Center for Conservation Education connects people to the natural world through education, land protection, conservation research and programs that inspire active outdoor engagement. They serve more than 20,000 people of all ages annually through school and community-based programming. Michelle Aldredge, Communications Manager for the Harris Center says, "'Journey to the Rhizosphere' is a captivating fusion of art and science, drawing our attention to the hidden micro-universe surrounding plant roots — a topic most of us rarely consider in our daily lives. These artworks bring the unseen bacteria, fungi and creatures that comprise healthy soil to life through vibrating colors, intricate patterns and richly layered textures." Aldredge continues, "Cosmo Sheldrake's soundscapes, "Soil Rewilding" and "Sounding Soil," further shift our perspective. Using recordings of fungi's bioelectrical activity and audio captured by microphones buried underground, the composer reveals the eerie, otherworldly sounds of the subterranean world. 'Journey to the Rhizosphere' is a wonderful example of how art can make the invisible visible." If you go: What: A free closing reception for the exhibit "Journey to the Rhizosphere" When: Saturday, April 26, from 3 to 5 p.m. Where: The Harris Center, 83 King's Highway, Hancock For more information: call (603) 525-3394 or visit https://harriscenter.org/events/closing-reception-journey-to-the-rhizosphere For more information on Susan Edwards: visit SusanAdeleEdwards.com or email her at susanadeleedwards@gmail.com.