Subnatural Histories from Buildings to Palates

Subnatures are those forms of nature - or the human corruption of - it deemed filthy, fearsome, or uncontrollable. David Gissen originally defined and applied this concept within the field of architecture to identify a series of practices that engage with subnature as both provocation and critique. During this talk, David Gissen and Ashley Rose Young will push the boundaries of subnature beyond the study of space and place, exploring how this concept can inform other disciplines ranging from ecology to food studies. The opportunity for attendees to taste historic street foods will enhance their understandings of the dank, dark, and delicious subnature foods that have made up the underbelly of famous American cuisines for centuries.In addition to a culinary historical reenactment, the lunch will include "subnatural" food selections by caterer Maggie Radzwiller, and sample specialties from Duke's campus smokehouse.Bio:David Gissen, a professor at the California College of the Arts, is a historian, theorist, critic and curator of architecture and urbanism.Ashley Rose Young is a doctoral student at Duke University working on food culture in nineteenth-century New Orleans.