Micro Landscapes | Sottobosco

Iván Juárez (X-Studio) talks to us about Micro Landscapes | Sottobosco, a work featured in the Biennial of LandArt Andorra, which pays tribute to the delicate and fragile ecosystem of the microplants in the undergrowth of Andorra.

Located in the eastern Pyrenees, Andorra is characterized by its close relationship with mountain landscapes, which include steep valleys, rugged terrain, and high peaks. The Pyrenees Mountain range features a variety of ecosystems, including coniferous and deciduous forests predominantly composed of spruce and fir trees, making Andorra a region rich in biodiversity, with several protected areas that enhance its ecological value.

Bosque en Andorra / Forest in Andorra
Fotografía / Photography: Iván Juárez

With the aim of highlighting the biological significance and richness present within a small section of the forest, the piece temporarily relocates a fragment of a micro-landscape. It pays tribute to the delicate and fragile ecosystem of undergrowth micro-plants—mosses, lichens, and ferns—that form a soft layer of vegetation, shaping the groundcover of the forest. This microworld, with its high ecological value, plays a significant role in the woodland ecosystem by absorbing and retaining water, which generates new habitats, prevents erosion, and supplies nutrients to the soil.

This microworld, with its high ecological value, plays a significant role in the woodland ecosystem by absorbing and retaining water, which generates new habitats, prevents erosion, and supplies nutrients to the soil.

Micropaisaje / Micro Landscape
Fotografía / Photography: Iván Juárez

The site-installation is placed in the heart of the medieval village of Sant Julià de Lòria, nestled in the foothills of the forest along the riverbank. The sottobosco piece is exhibited in an intimate public square next to the 11th-century church bell tower. As visitors ascend to the square, they are received by this unexpected fragment of forest. 

The elevated living installation invites visitors to engage closely with it, encouraging them to enter its interior. Visitors engage with this fragment by identifying, observing, touching, and smelling it, deepening their understanding of its ecological significance and enhancing their experiential and environmental awareness while exploring connections with local biological micro-habitats.

Vista en planta y sección arquitectónica de la pieza/ Architectural plan and section of the piece
Ilustración / Illustration: Iván Juárez

Estructura y materiales de la pieza / Structure and materials of the piece
Ilustración / Illustration: Iván Juárez

The work takes part of an artistic itinerary through the medieval town during the LandArt Andorra Biennial. After the exhibition concluded, the fragment was returned to its original location in the forest. The process was conducted with the support and guidance of the Environment and Forest Management of the Comú de Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra.

Acercamientos / Approaches
Fotografía / Photography: Iván Juárez