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Accepted Paper:
The uncanny of the roads
Tatiana Argounova-Low
(University of Aberdeen)
Arnar Árnason
(University of Aberdeen)
Paper short abstract:
This paper is about roads as dangerous and uncanny spaces. We explore these spaces inhabited by various beings, hidden people, evil creatures , ghosts, and other chtonic beings. We analyse narratives from Iceland and Siberia and ask whether the road is a perfect chthulucene.
Paper long abstract:
Roads are dangerous sites. They might look pristine and smooth, but there are various hidden risks and dangers on the roads. In this paper we will consider not the dangerous driving but slightly different kind of risks and dangers. In Iceland such risks will be presented by 'hidden people', in Siberia by abaahy and in Donna Haraway's writing these will be 'chtonic' that present menace.
This paper will bring different cultural realities about such chtonic creatures and will enquire: why do roads present such spaces which hidden people and abaahy, all things chtonic find suitable to inhabit? Is the road a perfect chthulucene? And if so, why?