Nomad Studio’s charred circle holds memory, loss, and rebirth
Amid the scarred landscape left behind by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza – La Yecla Natural Park, Spain, Nomad Studio has installed Socarrado: a circular structure constructed entirely from charred juniper trunks salvaged after the fire. Originally envisioned for the Uncommissioned Exhibition by Novo Collective, this installation serves as a communal site for reflection among the people of Santo Domingo de Silos, transforming the damaged ground into a place of remembrance, shelter, and hope for renewal. Its meaningful impact on visitors prompted local authorities in Burgos to preserve the installation within the landscape, contrary to initial plans to remove it.
The ring, measuring 15 meters in diameter, is formed by stacking blackened juniper trunks in concentric circles, creating a dark border that visibly retains the imprint of fire. The ends of the trunks fan outward, evoking the ghostly silhouette of the lost forest, while the circular formation references traditional Castilian livestock enclosures. At its heart lies a vaulted chamber, three meters across, built from split trunks and illuminated by a single opening at its peak, through which a narrow shaft of light enters the otherwise shadowed interior.
The vertical mass of charred wood, the lingering scent of resin, and the gentle, filtered light combine to create an almost ritualistic ambiance. The space draws visitors’ attention to the wounds of the land, yet also hints at the possibility of regeneration. ‘Socarrado encourages visitors to be present, value authenticity, and restore their essential bond with the land,’ shares Laura Santín, co-founder of Nomad Studio.
all images by Nomad, unless stated otherwise
a critical reflection on digital distance and fragile ecologies
Beyond its sculptural presence, the creative workshop Nomad Studio uses Socarrado to question how modern life increasingly separates us from our natural surroundings. The charred ring stands as a stark contrast to the distractions of digital culture, inviting people to pause, focus, and reconnect with what cannot be experienced through a screen.
The project was realized with the direct involvement of residents, volunteers, local businesses, and partners who helped gather materials and construct the piece. Community contributions fully funded the work, which received support from the Municipality of Santo Domingo de Silos, the Natural Park management, SOMACYL, Bombyte, and others.
In March 2026, the site will host ergo IGNIS, a performance piece conceived by artist William Kingswood in collaboration with local performers. Envisioned as a ritual of awareness, the event will respond to both the burned landscape and the collective effort that brought Socarrado into being. Upon visiting the installation, Kingswood described it as ‘a desolation, a return to nature, a refuge within a hostile landscape.’
Nomad Studio places Socarrado in the burn scar left by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza, Spain
a circular structure built entirely from charred juniper trunks recovered after the blaze
the work becomes a point of collective reflection | image by Almudena Cadalso
