(Un)Earthing Soil
Talks

(Un)earthing Soil - A Day of Exploration

Fri 04 Apr 2025
10.00 - 18.00
Day Pass £40/£30 concessions
Portico Room
South Wing

Across the world, stories of humankind’s creation were born from soil. It is the giver of life, an abundant universe within a universe full of possibilities. This symposium explores how we can learn from the diverse rhizomatic nature of soil to rethink and reconnect with the land, others and ourselves. 

We are honoured to welcome Satish Kumar as our keynote speaker. Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist and former monk, Satish has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. He undertook a pilgrimage for peace, walking for two years without money from India to America for the cause of nuclear disarmament. Now in his 80s, Satish Kumar has devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration and social justice.  

As part of the event, we’ve partnered with Café Petiole to offer a special meal deal just for attendees. 

Enjoy a delicious sandwich and salad for just £10 – with the option to add sweet treats. See the menu for options available.  

To reserve your meal, simply sign up in advance via https://forms.office.com/e/GBj2c4n1AN by Wednesday 02 April.  

Payment will be made in person on the day of the event. Availability is limited, so be sure to book early to secure your meal. 


Timings 

10.00 - 10.00 | Welcomes/Housekeeping - The Land Gardeners 

10.20 - 10.50 | Keynote – Satish Kumar 

10.50 - 11.00 | Break

11.00 - 12.00 | Session 1: Tending to the Earth’s cycles – an exploration into how we tune into the natural cyclical systems 
Speakers: ffin Jordão, Marc-André Selosse and Iman Datoo 
Chair: Jennifer Wong  

12.00 - 13.15 | Session 2: Nurturing Urban Soils – focussing on London’s soil and its caretakers ranging from community gardening, urban green policy and guerilla activism 
Speakers - Land in Our Names, Groundworks, Community Apothecary 
Chair: Errol Rueben Fernandes  

13.15 - 14.00 | Lunch  

14.00 - 15.00 | Session 3: Building Blocks – looking at the material potential of soil across the fashion, architecture and production 
Speakers: Chris Bellamy, Takeshi Hayatsu, Felicity Mangan and Materra  
Chair: Seetal Solanki  

15.00 - 15.30 | Performance Lecture:  Ling Tan  

16.00 - 16.15 | Break  

16.15 - 17.30 | Session 4: Extending our Thinking on Food Systems – looking at microbes, regenerative farming, artistic interventions and zero-waste initiatives 
Speakers: Caroline Wahome and Black Farmers Market  
Chair:  May Rosenthal Sloan 

17.30 - 17.45 | Closing Remarks  

17.45 - 19.00 | Optional Networking and Drinks with Familia Torres 

About Satish Kumar  

Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist, and former monk, Satish Kumar has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. He undertook a pilgrimage for peace, walking for two years without money from India to America for the cause of nuclear disarmament. Now in his 80s, Satish has devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration and social justice. He is a world-renown author and international speaker, founder of The Resurgence Trust and Editor Emeritus of Resurgence & Ecologist – a change-making magazine he edited for over 40 years. Find out more about Satish and join him in protecting people and planet. 

Presented in collaboration with Gaia Art Foundation, and with support from the World Living Soils Forum by Moët Hennessy