Randnotizen

They are diarists and writers-in-residence, minute-takers and observers. They note, sketch, photograph. They formulate passing thoughts – topical today and stale tomorrow. They observe themselves and others, negotiate public and private affairs. They record and invent, think up stories and reflect on reality.

The result, by degrees, is a multidimensional, virtual diary, a notebook or sketchbook, a demo tape. A map, a virtual photo album. Casual throw-aways, left-overs. Sequels, new beginnings. The remains of the day.

This year it is the young playwright and director Lola Arias from Buenos Aires (whose plays are billing at this year’s herbst), the equally young Austrian-American writer Ann Cotten (who is currently publishing her first book with Suhrkamp), the all-round artist, writer, photographer, musician Thomas Kapielski from Berlin (Merve author and old hand of Internet blogging), and Sasa Stanisic, writer-in-residence of Graz (whose novel “Wie der Soldat das Grammofon repariert” was on the shortlist for the German Book Award).

They already began their notes on May 14, constantly adding new notes and condensing them during the festival, when all four will be in Graz for one week each – thus creating a parallel pre-history and literary continuation of steirischer herbst.

Autorin / Autor, Text: Lola Arias
Autorin / Autor, Text: Ann Cotten
Autorin / Autor, Text: Thomas Kapielski
Autorin / Autor, Text: Sasa Stanisic