Jack Halberstam, a leading figure in gender and queer theory, is set to release a new book titled Anarchitecture After Everything: A Trans Manifesto in 2026. In this work, he examines the intersection of transness with the built environment, drawing on radical artistic interventions. His exploration of anarchitecture challenges conventional narratives surrounding gender and architecture.
Halberstam's Journey to Anarchitecture
Halberstam's interest in Gordon Matta-Clark began about a decade ago during a retrospective at the Bronx Museum. Initially unsure of how Matta-Clark's work related to his focus on sexuality in architecture, Halberstam found inspiration through repeated visits. He noted, "I felt like I had caught a glimpse of a new language, a different language." This realization sparked the concept of anarchitecture, which Matta-Clark described as the dismantling of structures.
In Halberstam's view, Matta-Clark's interventions in abandoned buildings serve as a metaphor for transness. He argues that if the house is traditionally viewed as a female entity, then Matta-Clark's radical actions can be likened to a form of sex reassignment surgery. This perspective challenges the conventional roles of architects and the narratives surrounding gender.
