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Columbia University Press

Deserts Are Not Empty - Edited by Samia Henni

Deserts Are Not Empty - Edited by Samia Henni

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Colonial and imperial powers have historically depicted arid lands as “empty” spaces, ripe for occupation, exploitation, and extraction. Yet, despite the vibrant presence of human and nonhuman life in desert territories, this “regime of emptiness” persists in many modern imaginaries. Deserts Are Not Empty confronts this colonial viewpoint, delving into its origins, impacts, and alternative perspectives. This transformative volume redefines the representations, histories, and cultural significance of arid lands, which make up nearly one-third of Earth’s land area.

Featuring an interdisciplinary blend of poetry, conversations with collectives, and essays by experts in architecture, landscape architecture, curatorial studies, film, and photography, this collection emphasizes the need for decolonial thinking. By drawing from fields like architectural theory, comparative literature, and environmental studies, Deserts Are Not Empty challenges readers to question inherited narratives about deserts, making space for new ways to see, think about, and imagine these diverse landscapes.

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