Upcoming Conference: Beyond Borders. Austrian and Swiss Art History in the Global Context

Annual Conference, November 7–8, 2025 | Landesmuseum Zürich

We are delighted to announce the upcoming annual conference Beyond Borders: Austrian and Swiss Art History in the Global Context, taking place on 7–8 November 2025 at the Landesmuseum Zürich (Auditorium Willy G. S. Hirzel).

This international event is organised by the Swiss Association of Art Historians (VKKS) in collaboration with the University of Vienna, the Austrian Association of Art Historians (VöKK), and the Swiss National Museum/Landesmuseum Zürich.

The conference will open with a welcome by Franziska Pfeiffer (Austrian Cultural Forum Bern), followed by an introduction from Régine Bonnefoit (Université de Neuchâtel), Noémie Étienne (University of Vienna), and Andrea Winklbauer (VöKK / Jewish Museum Vienna).

Over two days, scholars and professionals will discuss questions of colonial legacies, provenance research, museum practices, and transnational exchanges between Austria and Switzerland. Sessions include panels such as:

• Switzerland and Austria: Countries Without a Colonial Past?

• Museums Confronted with New Challenges and Limits

• Provenance Research and the Limits of Neutrality

• The History of Architecture in Dialogue Between Austria and Switzerland

• Art and Environment

Noémie Étienne will serve as a moderator for several panels, including the discussion Museums of the Future: Potentials and Challenges, featuring Hanin Hannouch (Weltmuseum Wien) and Denise Tonella (Swiss National Museum).

🔗 Full programme and details: vkks.ch/de/aktivitaeten/tagungen

📝 Online registration (free) – deadline: 31 October 2025

All participants enjoy free admission to the exhibitions of the Landesmuseum Zürich during the conference days.