We The Bacteria – an exhibition championing architecture that embraces microbes rather than fighting them

The Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) brings the fascinating world of microorganisms to DE SINGEL. Following a sensational run at Triennale Milano, the exhibition comes to Antwerp, expanded to include local examples from Flanders. Architecture, contemporary art and science are interwoven throughout the arts centre. Curators Beatriz Colomina and Mark Wigley say: ‘Bacteria determine how we live, how we think, and how we stay healthy.’

Opening lecture and vernissage
on 29.09.2026 at 20:00

Exhibition 
from 30.09.2026 to 31.01.2027

VAi in De Singel, Antwerp

Are we human? No, we are bacteria

‘Architecture has contributed both to the destruction and preservation of bacteria. Many contemporary diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, allergies, Alzheimer’s and depression, are linked to a loss of microbial diversity.’ This is the striking premise of the exhibition We The Bacteria. Curators Beatriz Colomina (architectural historian and professor at Princeton University) and Mark Wigley (professor of architecture at Columbia University) explore the ‘diseases of the built environment’, which are inextricably bound up with planetary health and the state of the biosphere. The exhibition advocates a different view of humanity: as a mobile ecosystem inseparable from the world of bacteria. 25 installations offer a tangible new way of engaging with bacteria. You’ll find them not only in the exhibition hall, but throughout the DE SINGEL arts centre.

Egon Verleye - Head of Communications & PR
T +32 (0)3 242 89 73
E egon.verleye@vai.be

Exhibition

We The Bacteria
30 September 2026 to 31 January 2027 inclusive
Exhibition hall and around the DE SINGEL art centre
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp (BE)
Open from Wed to Sun, from 2 pm to 7 pm; for evening performances, until 10 pm
Entrance: pay what you can: € 6 / € 9 / € 14 / € 20. (tickets online and at the venue). As a visitor, you are free to choose a lower price if that makes your visit easier. Can you afford to pay a higher ticket price? If so, you’ll be helping others to pay less. €0 (students, under 19s, reduced rate/Omnio status and ICOM members; tickets available only at the venue)

> tickets

Opening

We The Bacteria
With a lecture by Beatriz Colomina (architectural historian and lecturer, Princeton University) and Mark Wigley (lecturer in architecture, Columbia University)
29.09.2026 at 20:00
Rode Zaal (Red Hall) DE SINGEL
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp (BE)
€0 (registration essential)

> tickets

Extra programme

EcoLogicStudio in conversation with Bento
15.10.2026 at 20:00
Music studio DE SINGEL
Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp (BE)
€0 (registration essential)

> tickets available soon

A Triennale Milano exhibition, presented by the Flanders Architecture Institute (VAi) and DE SINGEL   

Curators: Beatriz Colomina en Mark Wigley    

Scenography: GRACE, Lorenzo Bondavalli, Giacomo Cantoni, Ekaterina Golovatyuk  

With work of: ADCO Technik GmbH, Raed Alkowni, An-Najah National University, Arizona State University, ARUP, Australian Antarctic Division, Francesca Bini, BioMason, Matteo Bisi, Ingo Burgert, Hans Busstra, Cabrillo College, Giuseppina Campisciano, Elisabetta Caselli, Carolina Cason, Scott Chimileski , Columbia University, Manola Comar, Maria D’Accolti, Danino Synthetic Biological Systems Lab, Nele De Belie, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Mary E. Lidstrom, Alissa Eckert, ecoLogicStudio, Kerstin Elert, ETH Zurich., Getty Institute, Ghent University, Elke Gruyaert, Davide Gulotta, Caitlyn Hall, Rinad Hamed, Kazumi Hiraga, Øyvind Holmstad, Hubertus Design, Institute for Maternal and Child Health – IRCCS., Andrés Jaque, Yoshiharu Kimura, Robert Kindler, Roberto Kolter, Laura Kurgan, Luca Lanzoni, Jean Larson, Steven Lawrence, Yasuhito Maeda, Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory for Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Nariman Mahabadi, Sante Mazzacane, Eleonora Mazziga, Dan Miller, Kenji Miyamoto, Modern Synthesis, Edoardo Mollica, MycoHAB, Kohei Oda, Martin Oeggerli, Office for Political Innovation (OFFPOLINN), Pazdera AG, Philippe Rahm architectes, Davide Rapp, Carlos Rodriguez Navarro, Sarah Schenck, Rudi Scheuermann, Shehdeh Jodeh, Irene Soffritti, Alan Sonfist, SSC Strategic Science Consult GmbH, Roman Stocker, André Studart, Tasha Sturm, Synthetic Lab , Toshihiko Takehana, Ikuo Taniguchi, Technische Universität Dresden, Paola Toscani, Kiyotsuna Toyohara, University of Ferrara, University of Granada, University of Innsbruk, University of Washington, Leon van Paassen, VIPEQ, Antonella Volta, Adam Vosburgh, Frank Willens, Hironao Yamaji, Shosuke Yoshida  

Historical research: Beatriz Colomina, Johan Lagae, Simon De Nys-Ketels, Alek Vanderheyden, Mark Wigley   

Project coordinator VAi: Nino Goyvaerts

Production lead De Singel: Jessie Bervoets  

Production audio tour: Ann Van Loon   

Technical production coordinator: Guy Anthoni      

Public outreach:  Rosan Meijer   

Press and communications:  Egon Verleye     

Director VAi: Dennis Pohl   

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