Vulnerable Beings

The history of modernity may be seen as one continuous attempt at preventing contamination – from unwanted microbes to foreign bodies. Yet, meaningful social relations can only exist through continual contact, friction, and the recognition of mutual vulnerability. 

Vulnerable Beings was a curatorial project that explored this contradiction in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was organised by Andrea Bagnato and Ivan Lopez Munuera, in a partnership with La Casa Encendida and MAAT, and brought together artists, theorists and activists.  

(conference and public program, 2021)

Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology, Lisbon 

Part I: Tuning In
(October 29–31)
Vivian Caccuri, Carlo Caduff, Teresa Fabião, Dan Glass, Anjuli Fatima Raza Kolb, Panagiota Kotsila, Meike Wolf, Rachaporn Choochuey, Sofia Gallisá Muriente, Cruz García, Tomaso de Luca, Marina Otero Verzier, Francesco Urbano Ragazzi

Part II: Sounding Out (November 26–28)
Jack Halberstam, Himali Singh Soin, Isabel Amaral, Sofia Lemos, Edwin Nasr, Uriel Orlow, Sarah Schulman, Nerea Calvillo, Lucia Casani and Monica Carroquino, Tamara Giles-Vernick, Michael Marder, Elise Misao Hunchuck, Françoise Vergès, Michael Wang


read the program booklet
read “Vulnerable Beings: A Lexicon
 read a review in Arch+

(collective exhibition, 2022)

La Casa Encendida, Madrid
May 26–September 18

With artworks by: P. Staff, Michael Wang, Rachaporn Choochuey, Nerea Calvillo, Monica Bonvicini, Himali Singh Soin, Isil Egrikavuk, Pratchaya Pinthong, Pepe Espaliú


read the exhibition booklet
listen to a podcast with the artists
watch an interview with the curators (part 1) (part 2)