Introduction

What are soils? What lies below their surface? And why should we care for their health? Earthbound. Worms, Soil, Decay invites us to reflect on the hidden world beneath our feet – revealing its complexity, vitality, and ecological relevance. Soils – often perceived as inert or passive – are in fact active, dynamic networks teeming with life, with the process of decay at their core. This is an essential, yet often overlooked, cycle that fuels ecosystems and sustains the planet’s natural balance by breaking down organic matter. Through the process of decay, valuable nutrients find their way back into the soil, nourishing plant life and initiating new living cycles. Without this cycle, regeneration would cease, and entire habitats would collapse. Earthworms – along with fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms – play a vital role in this process. Though often seen as unattractive or insignificant, these humble creatures perform transformative work beneath the soil. By breaking up compacted earth, they enable water and air to reach plant roots, support vegetation growth, and produce nutrient-rich castings that fertilise the soil. Yet, despite their crucial role, earthworms and other soil organisms are increasingly under threat. Human activities – including intensive farming, the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and expanding urbanisation – are contributing to a steady decline in soil health. By treating soil as little more than a passive backdrop for human activity, we risk setting the stage for a broader ecological crisis. The artists and designers featured in Earthbound urge us not to take soil regeneration and preservation for granted. Instead, they call for active engagement, reminding us that the health of life beneath the surface is inseparably connected to the health of life above it.