The event explored French Surrealism beyond its famous visual art. "French Surrealism is probably best known for its paintings -- images of floppy watches or men in bowler hats and topcoats falling from the sky." However, the roundtable emphasized poetry's central role, featuring works by Andre Breton, Robert Desnos, Benjamin Peret, Louis Aragon, and Rene Char. The discussion included poetry readings in translation and historical context spanning the mid-1920s through late 1960s.
Speakers
Mary Ann Caws
Distinguished Professor of English, French, and Comparative Literature, Graduate Center of the City University of New York
Recipient of Guggenheim, Rockefeller, and Fulbright fellowships; fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; past President of the Modern Language Association and American Comparative...
Anne-Marie Levine
Poet and Visual Artist
NYC-based poet and visual artist; former concert pianist. Author of three poetry collections: Euphorbia, Bus Ride to a Blue Movie, and Oral History; forthcoming artists book Reculer Pour Mieux...
Mark Polizzotti
Author & Translator; Director of Publications Program, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Author of Revolution of the Mind: The Life of Andre Breton, Highway 61 Revisited, Sympathy for the Traitor: A Translation Manifesto, Why Surrealism Matters, and Jump Cuts. Published in Apollo,...
Bill Zavatsky
Poet
B.A. and M.F.A. from Columbia University. Educator since 1971 at all educational levels; taught at Trinity School in Manhattan and Eugene Lang College of the New School; leads ongoing poetry-writing...
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