Membranes uses mechanisms native to the world of cellular biology as metaphors to analyse social divisions in transition. A research project together with Jasper Zehetgruber for the exhibition GEO—DESIGN: COVID-19. Travelling without moving.

Membranes provides an analytical reading of the complexity of human behaviours in an acute crisis situation, the COVID-19 pandemic. The project challenges designed divisions on a variety of scales and analyses their impact on processes of societal transformation. The projet highlights the human need for security in the context of an incomprehensible situation and its instrumentalisation for political control.

The metaphor of the biological membrane provides a framework to grasp the incomprehensible problematic, following Timothy Morton’s thoughts on the ‘Hyperobject’. Across all scales, Membranes are separating, while simultaneously, connecting entities.

Membranes
Project: Marvin Unger with Jasper Zehetgruber
Visual Effects: Simon Gehring
Audio Consultant: Stephan Schmidt
Voice Over in order of appearance: Elizabeth Balado, Amy Lewis, Zoë Prifti, Ellen Pearson, Emily Aquilina, Tiiu Meiner, Emma Gregoline, Fiona Herrod, Kaiu Meiner, Johanna Schneider, Chai Dienn
Participants: Colette Aliman with Lauriane Heim, Noemi Biasetton, Colin Keays, Felicity Morris, Tamara Orjola with The Anderen, Clara Ormières with Mathilde Philipponnat, Vincent Thornhill

Geo Design
Curator: Martina Muzi
Editor: Jeannette Petrik
Graphic Identity and Production: Domitille Debret, Giacomo Nanni
Technical Support: Quentin Creuzet, Niek van Sleeuwen
Communication and PR: Raffaela Vandermühlen, Ilka van Steen
Executive Board DAE: Joseph Grima, Creative Director
Mechtild van den Hombergh, Director of Organisation
Raf de Keninck, Director Education and Research