Anastrophes

Ava Xia, Aya El Khouri, Christie Swallow & Marie Lehman

If a catastrophe is things falling apart, then each episode of Anastrophe is a convergence — a moment of coming together. Through these walking conversations, we collect stories of key moments of changes in their practice, each one a marker of where our guests have been and where they’re heading next.

Episodes

  1. Apr 13

    Tim Waterman on Queer Ecology, The Imagination, and Lost Landscapes

    Tim Waterman is Professor of Landscape Theory and Inter-Programme Collaboration Director at the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Walking the courses of London’s Lost Rivers with Christie Swallow, this episode explores imagination, queer ecology, interdisciplinary design, and much more.

    57 min

  2. 12/30/2025

    Pati Starzykowski on ruderalia, working with the living and the militarization of nature

    Pati Starzykowski is a Transdisciplinary artist-researcher exploring art, ecology, and socio-spatial politics. Walking around Rainham Marshes with Christie Swallow, the episode explores the way nature is captured by military, agriculture and other lenses, the movement of soil and seeds, and much more. See more of Pati's work here.

    48 min

  3. 12/05/2025

    Margherita Dosi Delfini on More than Human, play and forming meaning

    Margherita Dosi Delfini is Assistant Curator at the Design Museum in London. Walking with Christie Swallow through Regent's Park, she discusses designing for non-humans, the role of play in creative practice, labyrinths, and much more. Art/design works mentioned: Solange Pessoa, Untitled, from the Sonhíferas (Dreamers) series, (2020-21) Marcus Coates, Nature Calendar, (2022) Shimabuku, Sculpture for Octopuses: Exploring for Their Favorite Colours (2010) Everything (Video Game Trailer) by David OReilly (2017) Enzo Mari, 16 Animali (16 Animals) (1959) Suomi/Koivisto Architects, Alusta Pavilion (2022) Texts mentioned:  More than Human, Edited by Justin McGuirk (2025) David Abram: The Spell of the Sensuous (1996) Exhibitions mentioned:  More than Human co-curated by Rebecca Lewin and Justin McGuirk (2025) at the Design Museum Enzo Mari Curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist with Francesca Giacomelli (2024) at the Design Museum To Be Always To Be by Herman de Vries (2015) at the Dutch Pavilion, Venice Biennale

    41 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    Dr Rami Zurayk

    Dr. Rami Zurayk is a professor at the Department of Landscape Design and Ecosystem Management at the American University of Beirut, and a founding member of the Arab Food Sovereignty Network. Walking with Aya El Khouri, his former student from AUB, Dr. Zurayk delves into his research on white phosphorus as a weapon of war, specifically in the South of Lebanon, which has witnessed – although not for the first time – a significant increase in strikes on population, land, and infrastructure since the start of the war in 2023. White phosphorus has been repeatedly used as a weapon that has caused extensive damage to the environment, public health, the economy, water, food, collective memory, and so on.    See more of Dr. Zurayk’s work:  Dr Rami Zurayk- Research and Publications   Texts mentioned:    Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor (2011) – Rob Nixon   An exploration of how slow, invisible violence- whether through environmental destruction or war- disproportionately affects marginalised communities. Hosted by Aya El Khouri. Edited by Marie Lehmann with assistance from Ava Xia and Christie Swallow Marie Lehmann. Follow Anastrophes Collective on ⁠Instagram⁠ or check out our ⁠website

    28 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Nicole Vindel

    Nicole Vindel has been described as a Food Artist and works across art, ecology and critical thinking. Walking with Christie Swallow, Nicole discusses key moments of change in her practice, orienting ourselves to nature, the role of gardening, and the personal politics of food. See more of Nicole's Work: Website Instagram Texts mentioned: History of Beauty (2004) — Umberto Eco A rich visual and intellectual journey through Western art and thought, tracing how ideals of beauty have evolved from antiquity to modernity. Girl with a Pearl Earring (1999) — Tracy Chevalier A historical novel imagining the life of Vermeer’s mysterious model, exploring beauty, class, and desire in 17th-century Delft. Climates of Capital (2021, essay) — Nancy Fraser A critique of capitalism’s ecological logic, showing how the system exploits nature as both a source (“tap”) and a dumping ground (“sink”). Sitopia: How Food Can Save the World (2020) — Carolyn Steel An exploration of how food shapes every aspect of human life, proposing that re-centering society around food can heal people and planet alike. Soil, Soul, Society: A New Trinity for Our Time (2013) — Satish Kumar A call for harmony between the Earth, the inner self, and human community, reminding us that to be human is to stay rooted in the soil. Hosted by Christie Swallow. Edited by Ava Xia with assistance from Aya El Khouri and Marie Lehman. Follow Anastrophes Collective on Instagram or check out our website

    46 min
  • 5 Episodes

About

If a catastrophe is things falling apart, then each episode of Anastrophe is a convergence — a moment of coming together. Through these walking conversations, we collect stories of key moments of changes in their practice, each one a marker of where our guests have been and where they’re heading next.

Information

  • Creator
    Ava Xia, Aya El Khouri, Christie Swallow & Marie Lehman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ava Xia, Aya El Khouri, Christie Swallow & Marie Lehman
  • Show Website
    Anastrophes