“Crossing Borders — Blurring Borders,” the theme of the Austrian Studies Association’s March 26-28, 2015 conference,  is conceived to promote discussions within Austrian Studies from the widest variety of disciplinary as well as multi- and interdisciplinary perspectives.

In her novel Engel des Vergessens Maja Haderlap writes of crossing the border from Carinthia into Slovenia, “Das Überschreiten der Grenze ist hier kein natürlicher Vorgang, es ist ein politischer Akt” (Crossing the border here is not a natural act; it is a political act). As well as a political act, a border crossing or blurring can be an aesthetic act, a collaborative act, a historical act, or a combination of the above.

The association will host the author Maja Haderlap  as well as the artist Ursula Hübner along with an exhibition of her work. The actor/director Karl Markovics will join us via Skype. In their artistic work and professional lives all three have engaged in multiple border crossings. In addition to our guest artists, the invited speaker Diane Shooman give a talk on the dance scene in Vienna on Friday morning. Members will give talks on Friday and Saturday panels. All events, which will take place on the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus, are free and open to the public. Attendance at meals requires registration.