formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity

Oltre Terra by Formafantasma 

 

From May 26 to October 1, 2023, The National Museum of Norway in Oslo is hosting the exhibition ‘Oltre Terra. Why Wool Matters’ curated by Hanne Eide. In this exhibition, the Italian design studio Formafantasma delves into the intricate relationship between the extraction, production, and distribution of wool products and the fascinating biological evolution of sheep. Oltre Terra endeavors to redefine the approach to presenting materials, objects, and technologies in exhibitions by incorporating the indispensable contribution of other-than-human entities involved in their production.

 

The exhibition takes its name from the etymology of the term ‘transhumance,’ which originates from the Latin words ‘trans’ (meaning ‘across,’ or ‘oltre’ in Italian) and ‘humus’ (meaning ‘grounds’ or ‘terra’). Transhumant practices revolve around the seasonal movement of livestock between grazing grounds, guided by the availability of nutrients and resources.

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores the co-evolution of sheep & humanity
all images by Nasjonalmuseet / Ina Wesenberg, unless stated otherwise

 

 

the co-evolutionary journey of humans and sheep

 

Approximately 11,000 years ago, a significant shift occurred in human society as hunter-gatherers adopted a more sustainable approach to interacting with sheep. Instead of indiscriminate hunting, they began to manage and selectively cull flocks, unintentionally initiating a fascinating process of co-domestication. This marked the birth of livestock and, over centuries, the evolution of the domestic sheep as we know it today.

 

‘The effects of this process, however, have never been solely unidirectional – that is, from humans towards animals. Rather, a complex co-evolution has taken place: if mankind transformed sheep biologically, through domestication and selective breeding, sheep have in turn powerfully shaped the course of human history by providing wool, nourishment, and guidance in territorial exploration, thanks to the practice of transhumance,’ shared the team at Formafantasma. 

 

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores the co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image by Formafantasma

 

‘In the context of the exhibition, the idea of “crossing grounds” also reflects the transdisciplinary attitude that defines the show.’ The research for Oltre Terra has been an attempt at extensive dialogue and collaboration among diverse practitioners, including designers, artists, anthropologists, evolutionists, legal experts, curators, shepherds, and farmers.

 

The display presents a thought-provoking reimagining of the traditional diorama display. Typically utilized in natural history museums to depict static scenes from the natural world, this installation deconstructs the diorama concept. It incorporates six life-sized replicas of diverse sheep breeds alongside a collection of documents, films, by-products from production processes, and various organic substances.

 

By combining materials, techniques, and living organisms, Oltre Terra challenges the current categorizations that artificially separate humans from animals and products from biological matter. Complementing the exhibition, philosopher Emanuele Coccia provides detailed captions that offer an interpretation of these diverse materials and their interconnections.

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image © Gregorio Gonella

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image © Ina Wesenberg

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image © Alessandro Celli

formafantasma-oltre-terre-designboom-full-1

image © Gregorio Gonella

 

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image © Gregorio Gonella

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image © Gregorio Gonella

 

formafantasma-oltre-terra-why-wool-matters-coevolution-sheep-humanity-designboom-1800

image © Gregorio Gonella

 

The focal point of the installation is the video named ‘Tactile afferents’, a collaborative work by artist Joanna Piotrowska and Formafantasma. The film is co-produced by Nasjonalmuseet and Fondazione In Between Art Film. The movie offers a distinct perspective on the show’s themes by centering on the sense of touch. It delves into concepts of co-domestication, showcasing both the delicate bond and affection between different species while also shedding light on its potential for aggression and harm.

 

The installation also hosts a woolen carpet produced by cc-tapis. This carpet is crafted from a combination of four distinct wool fibers sourced from twelve rustic Italian sheep breeds. While coarser wool fibers are typically disregarded as low-grade material, they find purpose in products that do not come into direct contact with the skin.

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores the co-evolution of sheep & humanity
© Joanna Piotrowska and Formafantasma, Tactile Afferents, 2023, co-produced by Nasjonalmuseet and Fondazione In Between Art Film | still from the movie

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity
Hall & Co., Snowdrop, Grand Champion Ewe of the Sydney Sheep Show, 1937, Sydney, Australia, photograph, mounted, paper

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores co-evolution of sheep & humanity

oltre-terra-exhibition-formafantasma-the-national-museum-of-norway-designboom-21800

 

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores the co-evolution of sheep & humanity
image by Formafantasma, Mammuthones, and Issohodes, 2023, Mamoiada, Sardinia, Italy, film

formafantasma's 'oltre terra. why wool matters' explores the co-evolution of sheep & humanity
Seasonal transhumance in Val Sesia, Italy  © Formafantasma, 2023

 

1/27
image ©Alessandro Cell
image ©Alessandro Cell
image by Formafantasma, work in progress of animal reproductions at Ecofauna's workshop, 2023, Prato, Italy
image by Formafantasma, work in progress of animal reproductions at Ecofauna's workshop, 2023, Prato, Italy
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
1
 
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
© Formafantasma, seasonal transhumance, 2022, Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy
© Formafantasma, seasonal transhumance, 2022, Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy
© Formafantasma, seasonal transhumance from Austria to Italy, 2022, Val Senales, South Tyrol, Italy
© Formafantasma, seasonal transhumance from Austria to Italy, 2022, Val Senales, South Tyrol, Italy
Photographer unknown, 'Eschol Majestie', Sydney Sheep Show, 1937, New South Wales, Australia, Powerhouse collection
Photographer unknown, 'Eschol Majestie', Sydney Sheep Show, 1937, New South Wales, Australia, Powerhouse collection
Joanna Piotrowska and Formafantasma, Tactile Afferents, 2023, co-produced by Nasjonalmuseet and Fondazione In Between Art Film | Still from the movie
Joanna Piotrowska and Formafantasma, Tactile Afferents, 2023, co-produced by Nasjonalmuseet and Fondazione In Between Art Film | Still from the movie
Joanna Piotrowska, seasonal transhumance from Austria to Italy, 2022, Val Senales, South Tyrol, Italy | shot on 16mm film, video stills
Joanna Piotrowska, seasonal transhumance from Austria to Italy, 2022, Val Senales, South Tyrol, Italy | shot on 16mm film, video stills
1
 
1
 
1
 
1
 
1
 
1
 
© Formafantasma, Natural History Museum's dioramas, 2022, Museo di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy
© Formafantasma, Natural History Museum's dioramas, 2022, Museo di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy
© Formafantasma, Natural History Museum's dioramas, 2022, Museo di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy
© Formafantasma, Natural History Museum's dioramas, 2022, Museo di Storia Naturale, Milan, Italy
William Henry Davis, Prize Sheep, oil on canvas, 1838, loan from Museum of Lincolnshire Life, United Kingdom
William Henry Davis, Prize Sheep, oil on canvas, 1838, loan from Museum of Lincolnshire Life, United Kingdom
© Formafantasma, manual selection of woollen rags at Francioni, 2023
© Formafantasma, manual selection of woollen rags at Francioni, 2023
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella
image © Gregorio Gonella

project info:

 

name: Oltre Terra

design: Formafantasma | @formafantasma

location: The National Museum of Norway | @nasjonalmuseet, Brynjulf Bulls plass 3, 0250, Oslo, Norway

dates: 26th May 2023 – 1st October 2023

KEEP UP WITH OUR DAILY AND WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS
suscribe on designboom
- see sample
- see sample
suscribe on designboom

PRODUCT LIBRARY

a diverse digital database that acts as a valuable guide in gaining insight and information about a product directly from the manufacturer, and serves as a rich reference point in developing a project or scheme.

X
5