Abstract
The piece examines the figure of the ‘essential worker’ and the special arrangements it impliedto introduce and discuss the concept of exceptionality. The theory developed by Agamben andNeocleous on the state of exception suggests the need to move away from classic discourseanalysis and put the focus on silence and absences in discourse. The need to go beyond generaltheories on exceptionality is suggested, leading to a methodological proposal that can accountfor the invisible everyday resistances of the subaltern. This is done by looking at a specificcase study deemed useful to grasp the affective dimension of exceptionality, while mobilizingethnographic methods. Using fieldwork materials collected in Swiss vineyards between 2020and 2022, some telling examples of abuses are described and analysed. To analyse theseexperiences, a conceptualization of the wine-production sector in Switzerland is provided andthen complemented with examples of exceptionality in Swiss vineyards. The results suggestthe need for further research on what exceptionality does to the bodies which are affected byit, and how it separates them from the remaining.
Published Version
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