In the Arab Gulf, air-conditioning consumes about 60% of the domestic consumption of electricity. Yet, the ascendency of this technology is far from simple. Beyond simply providing coolness, air-conditioning transformed life as people knew it. In a remarkably short period of time, this seemingly innocent device reshaped houses, cities, practices of daily life, social relations, and even, bodies. Today, one can argue there is no society that is more air-conditioned than in the Gulf, where even the outdoors is being air-conditioned. This seminar brings historical and ethnographic insights to explore how and why air-conditioning became ubiquitous in the Gulf and to what social and material consequences.

Speakers
Marwa Koheji, Humanities Research Fellow, NYUAD

Moderated by
Nelida Fuccaro, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies; Professor of Middle Eastern History, NYUAD

In Person (NYUAD Campus) and on Zoom

The seminar is open to the NYUAD community and by invitation. Registration has closed.