On a notably warm afternoon at London’s Barbican Centre, visitors seeking respite from the heat found unexpected relief within Origo, a recently installed earth structure occupying the Barbican Sculpture Court. Created by Colombian artist Delcy Morelos, the installation is constructed from 30 tonnes of soil, clay, and spices and offers shaded, cave-like recesses for visitors to explore.

Origo, which means “origin,” spans 24 meters in width and rises nearly four meters high. The piece marks Morelos’s first outdoor earth structure and required a two-month installation period. The soil used for the sculpture was sourced from a farm near Newcastle and carefully treated to endure varying weather conditions, including London’s recent heatwave as well as rain, wind, and hail.

Visitors gain access to Origo’s interior tunnels after security screening and can engage with the artwork’s distinctive textured surface, which resembles vein-like fibers. The structure also releases a subtle cinnamon and clove aroma, introduced periodically via a specially formulated perfume absorbed by the porous soil. Morelos explained that while many initially gravitate toward Origo for shelter from the sun, the work’s underlying purpose transcends mere physical refuge. She noted that throughout human history, earth has served as protection against various hazards, functioning as a refuge from predators and the elements alike.

Reflecting on the relationship between Origo and its urban environment, Morelos observed an unexpected connection. Though the Barbican’s brutalist architecture appears artificial, its concrete is derived from natural materials such as limestone and clay—the same geological origins as the earth forming Origo. The tiled floor of the Sculpture Court is similarly composed of ceramics, itself a form of clay. “In constructing Origo in the centre of London, I believe I have brought them back together,” Morelos said.

Morelos personifies soil as female, associating earth with the genesis of life and the human experience of gestation. She explained that humans remain intimately connected to this “womb”—a bond that is often overlooked. The artist’s aim with Origo is to illustrate the cycle of life, inviting visitors to contemplate their relationship with the natural world. After the exhibit’s planned conclusion at the end of July, the soil will be returned to its original farm, completing the cycle Morelos has envisioned. “She will go back to where she’s from,” Morelos remarked, adding that in time, so will all of us.