Photo exhibition ‘Code of Sand’

In collaboration with Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO)

Did you realize that each grain of sand is unique? Particle shape, size and colour tell us something about the origin and age of the material, and help us understand how each grain was sculpted and deposited. Admire wonderful magnified photographs of sand particles from the North Sea, exhibited in The Spot, and discover the beauty they hold. The photographs were made by TNO geologist Pieter van der Klugt for TILES: a transnational project on offshore sand mining, coordinated by marine geologist Vera Van Lancker from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Experience how something as ordinary as sand can be highly enchanting upon closer examination.

About The World of Sand (21-28 May)

Sand. Ordinary and incredibly diverse. Beautiful. Omnipresent and becoming scarce at the same time. In this theme week, Studium Generale explores the many aspects of this versatile material. What it looks like, how it sounds, how we source it, what you can do with it and, especially, its growing scarcity and the consequences this has.

Did you know that sand is the most consumed raw material on earth after fresh water? And that your smartphone wouldn’t exist without it? It is used for buildings, infrastructure, glass, computers, cosmetics and detergents – omnipresent things in our daily lives. With visions of deserts in your mind it might be hard to imagine, but did you ever realize that sand is a finite source, and actually becoming scarcer? And that the increasing pressure on this resource may have serious implications, ranging from sand conflicts and ecological destruction, to compromised food production and flood protection?

Delve into the everyday and at the same time unknown world of sand, and explore its special nature and role from various angles. Admire its beauty and diversity, and find out why sand has so many different uses. Discover where we get it from and how we extract it. Learn about the social and ecological effects of sand extraction, and discuss what role science and policy could play in promoting sustainable sand use.