Javier Arbona-Homar, associate professor of American Studies and Design, discusses his new book  Explosivity on Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art. The event is part of Covered: Spotlighting Faculty Authors in Letters and Science series. 

Arbona-Homar’s book is a a sweeping investigation of the Bay Area’s landscape through episodes of militarism, racialized capitalism and historical erasure. Drawing on archival research, oral histories and site visits, the author traces how past detonations continue to shape public memory and geography.

Also presenting at the event is Bettina Ng’weno, professor of African American and African Studies, who shares from No Place Like Home in a New City, an intimate account of how residents of Nairobi resist anti-urban ideologies to build life, belonging and new urban futures amid rapid redevelopment. 

The Covered series highlights the remarkable contributions of UC Davis faculty who have published books across diverse fields, from scholarly research to creative works. Each program includes author presentations, Q&A and light refreshments.

Covered is co-sponsored by the Manetti Shrem Museum and the UC Davis Library. The partnership is part of Elevate the Arts, a campus-wide initiative fostering collaboration among UC Davis faculty in the arts to support and amplify one another’s work.