Not Fully Human, Not Human At All

Populism, waning solidarity, climate crisis, youth unemployment, terror – the list of European crises is long. Societies across Europe are struggling under social, political and economic pressure, jeopardising social cohesion and promoting the acceptance of radical ideologies. Against this background, the exhibition “Not Fully Human, Not Human at All” at the Hamburger Kunstverein investigates the consequences of colonialism, racism, anti-feminism and the centuries-old separation of nature and culture. The central question it raises is who precisely is human and thus enjoys human rights, or – to quote the Brazilian performer Jota Mombaça – “who has never been human”? How are post-humanist and inhumane structures and conditions responsibly addressed, ignored or relativised? Eight international artists, including Lala Raščić, Daniela Ortiz and Monira Al Qadiri, present live performances, artworks and video pieces which ethically and aesthetically examine the symptoms of democratic decay and increasing dehumanisation, and offer possible solutions and paths to recovery.

The project is accompanied by a film programme, symposium and publication. The exhibition was developed in cooperation with various European curators, artists and institutions such as Kadist (Paris, France), Hangar Art Centre (Lisbon, Portugal), Aalst Network (Belgium) and the Lumbardhi Foundation (Prizren, Kosovo).

Artistic director: Bettina Steinbrügge, Nataša Petrešin-Bachelez
Curators: Pieternel Vermoortel, Emilie Villez, Bruno Leitão, Ares Shporta
Artists: Lala Raščić, Denise Ferreira da Silva, Valentina Desideri, Daniela Ortiz, Nilbar Güreş, Saddie Choua, Monira Al Qadiri, Ibro Hasanović, Kengné Téguia, Jelena Jureša and others