A collection of works by Formafantasma, a duo consisting of Italian designers Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, who are based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This book employs a picture-book-like approach, blending fiction with scientific research to foster new ecological literacy in both young and adult readers.
The Winterslag coal mine in Genk, Belgium, which thrived in the 1900s, closed in 1988 due to changing times. As they sought a new role for the site, the idea of making it a hub for creative industries emerged in 2000, and the "C-mine" project was launched in 2005. It now serves a new role as a center for industrial development while also functioning as a cultural facility.
This book was born from C-mine's request to the artists to produce a work as part of a residency program, exploring the nature of the former industrial site and its ongoing purpose. It delves into the complex relationships between humans, the environment, and other living beings.
The work is structured in two parts, beginning with a story illustrated by artist Clément Vuillier. It tells of a child who falls into a hole in a field on a former mining site and embarks on a journey through the hidden layers of the earth, encountering unexpected life forms that transform his worldview. The second part includes a critical essay by film and photography historian Teresa Castro, interviews and discussions by the artists with Natalie Beenaerts, who specializes in biology and teaches, Roland Dreesen, who researches geology, Dirk Maes, a senior researcher at the Research Institute for Nature and Forest, and microbiologist François Rineau, as well as contributions written by Louise Osieka and the artists.
The artists were inspired by educational works left by figures such as Enzo Mari, known as an artist and a master of the design world, and Bruno Munari, an artist, graphic designer, product designer, educator, researcher, and author of children's books, who was active in various fields. Visiting C-mine and being stimulated by the sight of life breathing in a landscape ravaged by humans, a former coal mine, they questioned the concepts of void and decay. They wanted to create a story that conveys to readers that even seemingly lifeless post-industrial areas can be seen as thriving ecosystems. At a time when the Earth and humanity face complex challenges, the book encourages us to reconsider the narrative created by "extractivists" (those who engage in large-scale exploitation of resources), deepen our understanding of change, and re-examine the possibilities of harmonious coexistence and cooperation.
Title: DOWN UNDER by Formafantasma
Pages: 208 pages
Size: 170 x 240 mm
Publisher: NERO EDITIONS
Publication Year: 2025
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