The call for papers promoted by the journal “Aristana. Cultures and Architectures of the Mediterranean” directed by Marco Cadinu, is open and dedicated to the theme
“ARS PUBLICA IN RE PUBLICA: Public art in architecture and public spaces”.

The birth of markets often coincides with that of cities, following patterns that evolve from local traditions to meet the customs and practices of more distant societies. The most essential forms of market organization—from simple rows of stalls between city and countryside to fully developed urban market streets—are the result of a society’s fiscal structure and the necessary meeting between producers and citizens. Market streets such as Ballarò or the Vucciria in Palermo, or those found in the many souks of Mediterranean metropolises, echo ancient models where goods were divided by sector, each overseen by the watchful eyes of civic officials.

Elsewhere, markets also become symbols and driving forces behind a city’s success, often designed to align with the city’s very form—such as the large square Markt in Central Europe or the elegant arcaded streets of medieval origin. The piazze delle Erbe, della Frutta, and Markt for salt mark urban development just as much as the open fields outside city gates once used for livestock trading, where merchants’ lodges or warehouses took on special significance.

The evolution of these places into more complex architectural forms—covered squares, pavilion halls, or nave-like structures dedicated to commerce—paved the way in more recent centuries for the creation of elegant, purpose-built structures. Notably, the cast-iron and glass markets that emerged in the early 19th century, beginning with St. John’s Market in Liverpool (later demolished), exemplify this trend. Many such buildings shared this fate, including the great Les Halles of Paris, though in other places this was avoided through more or less extensive reforms of their original structures.

At a time when online shopping and home delivery are radically changing social interactions and purchasing habits—and when sprawling shopping centers on the urban outskirts are always crowded—it is worthwhile to reflect on these places, both vertically and horizontally: vertically, to explore the reasons and processes behind the current relationship between society and market architecture; horizontally, to understand how ongoing changes are reshaping the very structure of cities.

The fourth issue of Rivista Aristana invites contributions in the form of testimonies and analyses of places, individual buildings, or market cities. There are no restrictions regarding historical period or nation, allowing for the presentation of historical contexts as well as the observation of current processes contributing to the transformation of the spirit of these places.

FORMAT OF CONTRIBUTIONS

With this Call Aristana aims to welcome from scholars three types of contributions:

• long article (max 25,000 characters + images)
• short article (max 15,000 keystrokes + images)
• one or more sheets each containing a very concise contribution (max 3,000 keystrokes + images)

IMPORTANT DATES

Deadline for abstract submission: 30/10/2025

Notification of abstract acceptance: 30/11/2025

Deadline for submission of scientific contributions, formatted according to the editorial guidelines: 28/02/2026

Peer review process: by 30/04/2026

Publication of contributions: by 30/06/2026

Scholars have the option to directly propose a complete article if deemed relevant and significant to the journal’s theme. It will still undergo a revision process.

For the abstract and article submission guidelines, please visit the following link: ABSTRACT EDITORIAL GUIDELINES and ARTICLE EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

For information and submission of abstracts and articles, please write to redazionearistana@fondazioneoristano.it