Project by Sebastian Irizarry
After an eruption, a volcano leaves behind a field of black rock that feels empty and lifeless. There is no soil, no shade, and no water. The lava hardens into a smooth surface that resists growth. Yet inside that dark ground, there is potential. Volcanic rock carries minerals that can one day become fertile soil, but this transformation takes time. Wind, rain, and small plants must slowly break the surface apart.
This proposal imagines a gentle moving presence that works with the land rather than against it. As it travels across the hardened lava, it lightly drills and scratches the surface, creating small pockets where humidity and moisture can collect. These cracks trap water vapor, dust, and organic particles, allowing microorganisms and bacteria to settle and multiply. Over time, these invisible forms of life begin changing the rock itself. Instead of waiting centuries for recovery, many small ecosystems start at once, slowly reconnecting the landscape and allowing life to return sooner.
