"fragility of being"

In cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

Curated by May Alqaydi, Andreja Drobnjak, Daniel Gardeazábal and Nitza Perry Curatorial mentoring by Anamarija Batista

Opening: Saturday, 9 November 2024, 7 pm

Artists: Yela An, Luiza Furtado, Ava Binta Giallo, Sunggu Hong, Sebastian Konzett, So Young Park, Luiza Spotorno, Francisco Valença Vaz, Esther Vörösmarty

The exhibition fragility of being delves into the precarious nature of human existence, weaving together themes of power, relationships, liminality, and memory. It examines how power structures govern our bodies and actions, influencing the way we navigate the world. The intricate dynamics of relationships, from connection to isolation, reflect our need for community and the challenges of maintaining it. Liminality explores the transitional spaces where we shift between presence and absence, belonging and estrangement. Memory, ever fluid, is shaped by dominant narratives; it questions which stories are preserved or forgotten. Together, these themes provoke reflection on the delicate balance between control, connection, and transformation. In this context, fragility of being highlights the tenuous relations between external forces and internal experiences, revealing how our sense of self, connections, and memories are subject to shifts that influence how we navigate and exist within the spaces we inhabit.

This exhibition marks the culmination of the intensive Curators' Agenda: VIENNA 2024 residency program. It is realized in collaboration with the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and under the supervision of curator and researcher Anamarija Batista. Launched in 2015 by the Vienna-based association BLOCKFREI, Curators' Agenda is an annual residency that offers international curators the opportunity to expand their curatorial knowledge and immerse themselves in the Viennese art scene over six to eight weeks. In January 2024, BLOCKFREI Collective (Nevena Janković, Eva Kovač, and Jana Dolečki) took over the direction of DAS WEISSE HAUS, integrating this residency project under the umbrella of DAS WEISSE HAUS.