The migration movements of 2015/16 brought territorial borders in Europe a significance not seen for many years. In particular, the European Union’s external borders became sites of acute political and humanitarian conflict. The conference Über die Grenze examined the political, historical, economic, social, and interpersonal dimensions of borders. Through selected artistic positions brought into dialogue with theoretical analyses as well as activist and curatorial projects, the conference explored the role artistic practices can play in reflecting on and shifting established notions of borders.

The conference aimed to relate the inner-German border before 1989 to the situation at the EU’s external borders in 2016 from different historical perspectives. Both contexts are associated with experiences of flight, assistance in escape, and confrontation with border regimes. The predominantly negative memory of the former inner-German border served as a historical corrective to the renewed calls in 2015/16 for closure and tighter control of Europe’s external borders. To reinforce this historical connection, the conference took place on October 7 in the context of commemorations of the Peaceful Revolution of 1989.

A cooperation between the Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig, Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, and the Gedenkstätte Deutsche Teilung Marienborn

Concept: Sven Bergelt and Prof. Dr. Dieter Daniels, in collaboration with Susan Baumgartl (Gedenkstätte Deutsche Teilung Marienborn) and Jürgen Meier (Artistic Director, Leipzig Festival of Lights)

Speakers: Prof. Dr. Heidrun Friese, Sven Johne, Peng!, Prof. Dr. Regina Römhild, Christoph Wachter / Mathias Jud, Jan Wenzel