University Open Air: Beauty and Ugliness in French and Francophone literature and the Arts
French society’s obsession with taste shows up in many areas. In this course, we will examine some laudatory and critical devices used in some emblematic works to present the concept of beauty and ugliness, starting from XVII century literature and visual arts to arrive in modern times. Works from Madame de Lafayette, Balzac, Malick Sidibe, contribute to the conversation about beauty and ugliness.
Beauty and Ugliness: A film project, Part I-- For the last thirty minutes, we’ll start working on a short film based on the participants’ response to the theme of the class and the class itself. Class participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring materials—postcards, photos, audio, objects, etc.—of beauty that the class can use as an opportunity to talk about perceptions of beauty and ugliness. This section of the class is part of a short film process documenting these discussions about beauty and ugliness. Feel free to bring different materials for the second session. For more information or if you have questions, please email Vanessa Baish at vbaish@bklynlibrary.org.
*For more information or if you have questions, please email Vanessa Baish at vbaish@bklynlibrary.org.
Nadia Bongo is a French language and literature teacher. With a Ph.D. in French Language and Literature from Aix Marseille Université, she taught French Language, Literature, and Research for the French Academy for six years. She feels fortunate to have two passions: teaching and writing. In Spring 2021, Nadia was a Brooklyn Poets fellow and Poet of the Week that Fall. Her work has appeared in the NYPL zine, Newtown Literary, Litro magazine online, and elsewhere.
*In cases of rain, classes will be either moved to the Prospect Park Boathouse or canceled. Registered patrons will be notified by email on the morning of each course day and are also encouraged to check the UOA webpage and BPL Presents’ Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.
University Open Air is generously supported by The Morris & Alma Schapiro Fund.
101 East Drive
Brooklyn, NY 11225
French society’s obsession with taste shows up in many areas. In this course, we will examine some laudatory and critical devices used in some emblematic works to present the concept of beauty and ugliness, starting from XVII century literature and visual arts to arrive in modern times. Works from Madame de Lafayette, Balzac, Malick Sidibe, contribute to the conversation about beauty and ugliness.
Beauty and Ugliness: A film project, Part I-- For the last thirty minutes, we’ll start working on a short film based on the participants’ response to the theme of the class and the class itself. Class participants are encouraged, but not required, to bring materials—postcards, photos, audio, objects, etc.—of beauty that the class can use as an opportunity to talk about perceptions of beauty and ugliness. This section of the class is part of a short film process documenting these discussions about beauty and ugliness. Feel free to bring different materials for the second session. For more information or if you have questions, please email Vanessa Baish at vbaish@bklynlibrary.org.
*For more information or if you have questions, please email Vanessa Baish at vbaish@bklynlibrary.org.
Brooklyn Public Library - Central Library MM/DD/YYYY 60