BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH PRODID:-//Telerik Inc.//Sitefinity CMS 13.3//EN BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:A session at The College Art Association (CAA) 114th Annual Con ference soliciting Contributors\nLocation and Conference dates: Chicago\, February 18–21\, 2026.\nSession Chairs:Ralph Ghoche\, Barnard College and Janna Israel\, Princeton University Art Museum\nSubmissions Deadline:Aug ust 29\, 2025.\nSubmit 250-word abstract Here:https://caa.confex.com/caa/ 2026/webprogrampreliminary/meeting.html\nSession Abstract: Architecture an d the Subterranean Realm\nThe exploitation of the subterranean world has long provided architecture with a rich palette of materials—metals\, stone s\, and marbles—used to construct and embellish buildings. These undergrou nd resources have been integral to colonial expansion across the globe\, t heir extraction directly shaping the architectural landmarks and monuments of Western metropoles. While the pursuit of natural resources has generat ed immense wealth for speculators and institutions\, it has also ravaged l ocal landscapes and impoverished Indigenous populations. The subterranean has thus served as a source of material wealth and a contested battlegroun d in the broader struggle for power and control that defines colonial eras \; it has galvanized waves of surveyors and entrepreneurs eager to stake t heir claim in the earth’s depths. As Frantz Fanon powerfully observed\, “E urope has stuffed itself with the gold and raw materials of colonial count ries\,” using these riches to “raise up her tower of opulence.”\nThis pane l explores the subsoil and its relationship to discourses on land sovereig nty and ownership\, extraction\, labor\, and technique\, geological and hi storical time\, ecological decay\, nature\, and power. By examining the wa ys in which the subterranean has anchored claims of possession\, disposses sion\, and discovery\, we seek to explore how perceptions of––and access t o––the underground have shaped concepts of architecture\, infrastructure\, landscape\, and territory. Paper proposals may address these themes acros s historical periods and geographies. Potential inquiries include\, but ar e not limited to: building materials\, mining and quarrying\, labor codes and legislation\, treatises\, drawings\, survey reports\, and maps.\n\nEnq uiries: Ralph Ghoche\, rg2169@columbia.edu DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250830 DTSTAMP:20250731T215209Z DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250718 LOCATION:Illinois\,United States\,Chicago SEQUENCE:0 SUMMARY:Call for Papers: Architecture and the Subterranean Realm UID:RFCALITEM638895955296299830 X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:
A session at The College Art Association (CAA) 114th Annual Conference soliciting Contributors
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Lo cation and Conference dates: Chicago\, February 18–21\, 2026.
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Session Chairs:Ralph Ghoche\, Barnard College and Janna Israel\, Pr inceton University Art Museum
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Submissions Deadline:Aug ust 29\, 2025.
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Submit 250-word abstract Here: < /strong>
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Session Abstract: Architecture an d the Subterranean Realm
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The explo itation of the subterranean world has long provided architecture with a ri ch palette of materials—metals\, stones\, and marbles—used to construct an d embellish buildings. These underground resources have been integral to c olonial expansion across the globe\, their extraction directly shaping the architectural landmarks and monuments of Western metropoles. While the pu rsuit of natural resources has generated immense wealth for speculators an d institutions\, it has also ravaged local landscapes and impoverished Ind igenous populations. The subterranean has thus served as a source of mater ial wealth and a contested battleground in the broader struggle for power and control that defines colonial eras\; it has galvanized waves of survey ors and entrepreneurs eager to stake their claim in the earth’s depths. As Frantz Fanon powerfully observed\, “Europe has stuffed itself with the go ld and raw materials of colonial countries\,” using these riches to “raise up her tower of opulence.”
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This panel explores t he subsoil and its relationship to discourses on land sovereignty and owne rship\, extraction\, labor\, and technique\, geological and historical tim e\, ecological decay\, nature\, and power. By examining the ways in which the subterranean has anchored claims of possession\, dispossession\, and d iscovery\, we seek to explore how perceptions of––and access to––the under ground have shaped concepts of architecture\, infrastructure\, landscape\, and territory. Paper proposals may address these themes across historical periods and geographies. Potential inquiries include\, but are not limite d to: building materials\, mining and quarrying\, labor codes and legislat ion\, treatises\, drawings\, survey reports\, and maps.
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Enquiries: Ralph Ghoche\, rg2169@columbia.edu
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