La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in April and May, including a conference, “Land of Refuge, Land of Exile: French Writers and Artists in the U.S. during the Occupation Years,” April 16-18, which features a performance, in French, by Olivier Py, director of the Théàtre National de l’Odéon. Events are free and open to the public and take place at La Maison Française, unless otherwise noted. For further information, call 212.998.8750 or visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.

A schedule of events follows:

  • Wed., Apr. 1, 6:30 p.m. Institute of French Studies Colloquium: “France in the Global Economic Crisis” with Herrick Chapman, NYU; Brigitte Gaïti, Université Paris-Dauphine; Yves-André Istel, Rothschild Inc.; and Thomas Philippon, NYU. In French and English.
  • Thurs., Apr. 2, 7 p.m. Discussion: “New French Philosophy and Media Theory” by Bernard Stiegler, philosopher; author of La technique et le temps. Respondents are NYU’s Avital Ronell and Alexander Galloway; moderated by Emily Apter, NYU.
  • Fri., Apr. 3, 10 a.m. Discussion: “Translating Georges Perec” with Ian Monk, member of French writing group “Oulipo”; translator of Perec, among others; and David Bellos, Princeton University professor and translator of Perec; author of Georges Perec: A Life in Words.
  • Tues., Apr. 7, 7 p.m. Bilingual Reading and Conversation: Novelist Paula Jacques, author of Lumière de l’oeil and Deborah et les anges dissipés (Prix Femina), and translator Susan Cohen-Nicole, on the occasion of the publication of the English translation of Lumière de l’oeil, discuss the book’s evocation of the life of Egyptian Jews in Cairo in the 1950s.
  • Mon., Apr. 13, 7 p.m. Literary Conversation: “French Literature in the Making” with Frederic Mitterrand, author of Un Jour dans le siècle; La Mauvaise vie; director, French Academy in Rome, in conversation with Olivier Barrot, journalist and host of Un Livre un jour (France 3); publisher, Senso. In French. Simultaneous translation available.
  • Wed., Apr. 15, 7 p.m. Institute of French Studies Colloquium: “Les Historiens face aux enjeux de mémoire en France aujourd’hui” by French historian Jacques Revel, NYU Global Distinguished Professor.
  • Thurs.-Sat., Apr. 16-18 Conference: “Land of Refuge, Land of Exile: French Artists and Writers in the U.S. during the Occupation Years/ Terre d’accueil, terre d’exil: Ecrivains et artistes Français aux États-Unis pendant l’Occupation.” In English and French. For program details and times, visit http://french.as.nyu.edu/object/landofrefuge.html
  • Apr. 22, 7 p.m. Institute of French Studies Colloquium: “The 2009 Strike in Guadeloupe and Martinique” with NYU’s J. Michael Dash and William Miles, Northeastern. Univ.
  • Thurs., Apr. 23, 7 p.m. Film Screening & Discussion: NYU Tisch School professor George Stoney, acclaimed documentary filmmaker, screens the 2008 film Flesh in Ecstasy: Gaston Lachaise and the Woman He Loved (in English and French, with English subtitles, 21 min), co-directed by Stoney and David Bagnall. The film explores Lachaise’s relationship with his model for the work, Flesh in Ecstasy, his wife and muse, Isabel Dutaud Nagel. This is followed by a screening of the documentary Casting Gaston Lachaise’s “Standing Woman”. Post-screening discussion with filmmakers Stoney and Bagnall, and Jeffrey Spring of the Modern Art Foundry.
  • Wed., Apr. 29, 6:30 p.m. Lecture: “Roland Barthes and the Invention of Modernity” by Bernard Comment, author of Roland Barthes, vers le Neutre. Part of PEN World Voices. Visit www.pen.org for full schedule of events.
  • Thurs., Apr. 30, 7 p.m. Literary Conversation: Novelist Muriel Barbery, author of Une Gourmandise; L’Elégance du hérisson (The Elegance of the Hedgehog) in conversation with Adam Gopnik, author of Paris to the Moon. Part of PEN World Voices. Note venue: NYU Cantor Film Center, 36 E. 8th St. Tickets for this event: $10; www.smarttix.com; 212.868.4444.
  • Tues., May 5, 7 p.m. Film Screening & Discussion: Ariane Lopez-Huici: Très Près du Corps (USA, 2008, directed by Marilia Destot, 38 min). U.S premiere of this film about the photography of Ariane Lopez-Huici, followed by a conversation between Destot and Lopez-Huici.

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