Mateusz PitalaWorks
Listen to your microbes
Solo exhibition
2025, Fotland mølle, Norway
Text accompanying the exhibition at CAS Stavanger




Installation, workbench in stainless steel, dehydrated sourdough starter, analog photograph printed on rice paper 29.7×21 cm, bread sculptures, plastic deciliter measuring cup, metal spoon, inkjet print 10×5 cm, dough cutter, polyethylene containers with lids

Mateusz Pitala’s exhibition at Fotland Mølle explores collaboration with invisible sourdough microorganisms. Fermentation, once a mysterious and magical process, becomes a medium for creation.

The microorganisms in Pitala’s sourdough are active participants in his practice—they transform, collaborate, and create. They share nutrients, protect their ecosystem, and exemplify collective strength. Through working with them, Pitala engages in a daily ritual of cooperation, observing the small, omnipresent forces that shape our world.

These elements are reflected in his work through bread sculptures, dehydrated sourdough, and photographs—creating a poetic dialogue between humans and microbes. The historical mill of Fotland Mølle adds another layer, grounding the exhibition in its material and cultural roots.