Conversation & Book Talk

Unworlding, Unbuilding, and Trans Anarchitectures

Wed, Nov 18, 2026

6:30 PM–8:00 PM

Elebash Recital Hall, CUNY Graduate Center. Free and open to the public.

Jack Halberstam, Nicole Eisenman, and Claire Bishop

Join Queer theorist Jack Halberstam and artist Nicole Eisenman with art historian Claire Bishop for a conversation to explore the possibilities of “anarchitecture.”

What does it mean to unbuild the world? In his new book, leading queer theorist Jack Halberstam, professor at Columbia University, revives the 1970s idea of “anarchitecture” and uses it to connect the physical alteration of bodies to an unmaking of our built environment and social systems. Demolition and dismantling are also crucial terms for MacArthur-winning artist Nicole Eisenman, who in 2025 showed a toppled industrial crane in nearby Madison Square Park. They will be joined in conversation by Claire Bishop, presidential professor of Art History at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Hosted by Public Programs and co-presented with the Ph.D. Program in Art History, CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies, and the Center for the Humanities at the CUNY Graduate Center.

Please contact Jimmy Cok at [email protected] in advance for CART services or any additional accessibility requests or concerns for in-person events. This event will be livestreamed, and closed captions will be provided.