NYU’s Maison Française Hosts Special Events in Jan/Feb

La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in January and February, including a round table discussion, “Céline’s ‘Forbidden’ Writings: Madness or Method,” which examines critic Wyatt Mason’s recent article on French writer Céline in the New York Review of Books, on February 18. All 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:

• Tues., Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Lecture: Julia Prest, lecturer, Department of French, University of St. Andrews, and author of Theatre under Louis XIV: Cross-Casting and the Performance of Gender in Drama, Ballet, and Opera, discusses “French Responses to the Italian Castrato.”
• Thurs., Jan. 28, 6 p.m. Lecture: Robert M. Rubin, doctoral candidate in the history and theory of architecture at Columbia University and owner of the Maison de verre, the 1932 Paris house designed by Pierre Chareau, discusses “Living in a Glass House: Preservation and Presentation of Pierre Chareau’s Maison de verre.” In collaboration with the American Institute of Architects / NY. Reservations at http://cfa.aiany.org. Note venue: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place.
• Fri., Jan. 29, 4 p.m. Round Table: “Translating for the Theater.” Participants include: Tina Howe, author of Painting Churches and Coastal Disturbances; Olivier Kemeid, author of l’Eneide; and Koffi Kwahulé, author of Blue-S-Cat and Big Shoot; Julie Vatain and Judith Miller (NYU), and Chantal Bilodeau, translators; moderated by Emmanuelle Ertel (NYU). In collaboration with the hotINK Festival.
• Sat. and Sun., Jan 30 & 31 Readings: hotINK International Festival of Play Readings Sat., Jan. 30, 3 p.m., The Aeneid by Olivier Kemeid Sun., Jan. 31, 7 p.m., Blue-S-Cat by Koffi Kwahulé Note venue: 721 Broadway. Reservations: www.nyu.edu/tisch/drama/hotink
• Tues., Feb. 2, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Louis Guilloux: Portrait d’un inconnu,” by Philippe Roger, global distinguished professor of French, NYU. In French.
• Wed., Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Lecture: Jeffrey H. Jackson, associate professor of history; director, environmental studies program, Rhodes College, on “Paris Under Water: How the City of Light Survived the Great Flood of 1910.” An Institute of French Studies Colloquium.
• Mon., Feb. 8, 7 p.m. Literary Conversation: “French Literature in the Making” with Marc Lambron, writer, literary critic, and author of Les Menteurs; L’Œil du silence (Prix Femina); Etrangers dans la nuit; La Nuit des masques (Prix Colette); Eh bien, dansez maintenant!, in conversation with Olivier Barrot, journalist and host of Un livre un jour (France 3 TV); publisher of Senso. In French.
• Thurs., Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m. Lecture: “Nouvelles genevoises de Jean de Saintré: Rousseau et Töpffer face à l’incipit,” by Sylvie Lefevre, professor, department of French, NYU. In French. Co-sponsored by the Medieval and Renaissance Center.
• Sat., Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Performance: “Fragments: A Salon Performance of Excerpts from Racine and Lagarce,” with Mina Morova and Holger Staude, recent alumni of L’Avant-Scène, the French theater workshop of Princeton University’s Department of French and Italian. Directed by Florent Masse (Princeton University). In French. Reservations: 212.998.8750 or maison.francaise@nyu.edu.
• Tues., Feb. 16, 7 p.m. Round Table: “The Paradox of Wall Painting, Europe 1927-1957,” a discussion based on Romy Golan’s new book, Muralnomad. With Romy Golan, CUNY; Jean-Louis Cohen, Jordana Mendelson, Ara H. Merjian, NYU. Co-sponsored by Casa Italiana. Note venue: Casa Italiana, 24 West 12th Street.
• Wed., Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Round table: “Autonomy and its Alternatives: Debating the 2010 Referendum in the French Caribbean,” with Vanessa Agard-Jones, NYU; Yarimar Bonilla, University of Virginia; Myriam Cottias, NYU; moderated by Herrick Chapman, NYU. An Institute of French Studies Colloquium.
• Thurs., Feb. 18, 7 p.m. Florence Gould Round Table: “Céline’s ‘Forbidden’ Writings: Madness or Method” will discuss critic Wyatt Mason’s recent New York Review of Books article, “Uncovering Céline.” Panelists include Michel Beaujour, NYU; Denis Hollier, NYU; Wyatt Mason; Guy Sorman, journalist and economist; Phil Watts, Columbia University; and Tom Bishop (moderator), NYU.
• Fri. & Sat., Feb. 19 & 20 Conference: “Nothing/Rien,” the annual French Department Graduate Student Conference this year explores the various manifestations of absence, void, or nothingness. For more information, visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.
• Mon., Feb. 22, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Me, Myself, and I: Michel de Montaigne In and Out of the Tower” by Jane Kramer, European correspondent, The New Yorker. Reservations: 212.998.8750 or maison.francaise@nyu.edu.
• Wed., Feb. 24, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Homme, Femme, Philosophie,” by Barbara Cassin, CNRS/NYU. In French.
• Thurs., Feb. 25, 7 p.m. Reading: Philippe Forest, writer, novelist, author, reads and discusses excerpts from his new work. In French.
• Sun., Feb. 28, 3 p.m. Concert: “Homage to Robert Casadesus (1899-1972)” David Dubal, host of WQXR’s Reflections on the Keyboard, presents the French pianist and composer in conversations with the pianist’s daughter, Thérèse Casadesus Rawson, with live performances of selected works, and film documentaries. Dimitry Glivinskiy, pianist, Mannes School of Music, will perform a movement from the First Sonata op. 14. He will be joined by Stephanie Song, violinist, The Juilliard School, in the Hommage à Chausson op. 51 for violin and piano. Cicilia Yudha, pianist, DMA candidate at University of North Carolina, Greensboro, will play the Toccata op. 40 and a movement of the Fourth sonata op. 56. Tickets: $15 / $10 students. Reservations: 212.998.8750 or maison.francaise@nyu.edu.