Spring 2026 public programming: Planetary Imaginaries

The notion of the planetary encompasses a framework for reconsidering our relationship with the environment. It calls for a radical reimagining of our ethical and ecological responsibilities in the Anthropocene—a world-ecology beyond human-centered boundaries, beyond mapped territories, and beyond the habitual rhythms of our disciplines. Here, the environment is more than a background; it is a dynamic and cultural project—one that demands imagination, urgency, and new modes of engagement. This event series convenes distinguished speakers whose work interrogates planetary conditions through diverse modes of design and knowledge inquiry, representation, practice, and theorization.  

In response to the prompts of this theme, this semester’s public lectures include Dutch photographer Iwan Baan; Erik L’Heureux of Monash University and Equator Works; Carla Chávez, Carolina Rodas, and Felipe Donoso of RAMA Estudio; Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby of Dunne & Raby; a conversation between Sue Ann Kahn, daughter of Louis I. Kahn, and Kevin Alter of UT Austin; Paola Viganò of The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne and Studio Paola Viganò; Virginia San Fratello of San Jose State University and Rael San Fratello; Luis E. Carranza of Roger Williams University and Columbia University; and Emiliano López of Emiliano López Mónica Rivera Arquitectos.  

From January 23 to February 20, 2026, Dutch architecture and documentary photographer Iwan Baan will present the exhibition From Las Vegas to Rome in the Mebane Gallery of Goldsmith Hall. From Las Vegas to Rome explores dialogues between these cities through images taken by Baan, one of the most prolific photographers active today. This exhibition looks at Las Vegas—and its spectacle of improbable buildings and infrastructure—to rethink Rome, a city shaped by power and money for centuries. The opening lecture will occur at 4PM on January 23 at the Harry Ransom Center Prothro Theater. The exhibition is curated by Lindsay Harris, interim Andrew Heiskell Arts Director.  

This semester, two additional exhibitions will be on display. Beginning February 23, Michael Moynihan, 2024-2026 Land, Space, and Identity in the Americas Fellow, presents Simulating Democracy: Housing and Computation in Modern Latin America. Beginning March 25, Andy Bako, 2024-2026 Emerging Scholar in Design, presents Bundle Up. All events are free and open to the public and will occur in person at 5PM in the Goldsmith Lecture Hall (310 Inner Campus Drive, Room 3.120) unless noted otherwise. 

LECTURES 

Iwan Baan   
January 23 at 4PM   
Harry Ransom Center Prothro Theater  

Erik L’Heureux, Monash University and Equator Works   
January 28 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

RAMA Estudio   
February 9 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby, Dunne & Raby   
February 11 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

Sue Ann Kahn and Kevin Alter, in conversation   
February 25 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall 

Paola Viganò, The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne / Studio Paola Viganò   
March 2 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

Virginia San Fratello, San Jose State University / Rael San Fratello   
March 30 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

Luis E. Carranza, Roger Williams University & Columbia University   
April 1 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall  

Emiliano López Matas, Emiliano López Mónica Rivera Arquitectos   
April 6 at 5PM   
Goldsmith Lecture Hall 

EXHIBITIONS  

January 23 to May 8  

From Las Vegas to Rome by Iwan Baan   
January 23, opening talk at 4PM  

Simulating Democracy: Housing and Computation in Modern Latin America by Michael Moynihan   
February 23, opening talk at 5PM  

Bundle Up by Andy Bako   
April 3, opening talk at 5PM