Fanny de Chaillé
The Teens Library
Sat, Apr 8 at 11am-4pm
Albertine Books
Performance • Ages 6 & up
Free
Described by The New York Times as “storytelling coming to life,” The Teens Library is inspired by the idea that anyone can be the author of knowledge and share it with others. Created by French artist Fanny de Chaillé, the interactive project is a living library where visitors are invited to choose from a catalogue of “books”––which are actually people––each of whom relate their individual story.
Each “book” is the result of a collaboration that started in November 2016 between the artist and a group of teenagers who are part of the New York Public Library Literacy Leaders program. In a series of workshops, they worked together to determine a theme, topic, or personal history to be shared. Participating teens are primarily recent immigrants to the U.S. aged 14-17.
In intimate one-on-one sessions with the audience, each teen will tell his or her unique story to both parents and kids. The Teens Library is a reminder of the power of storytelling. It brings stories to life and gives a voice to any individual.
Note: Some stories may contain mature content
Free & open to the public
Albertine Books
Cultural Services of the French Embassy
972 Fifth Avenue (at 79th Street)
New York, NY 10075
About the Artist
Fanny de Chaillé began creating her own plays, installations, and performances in 1995. She has worked with renowned artists such as Daniel Larrieu, Rachid Ouramdane, Emmanuelle Huynh, and Alain Buffard. She has created installations, performances, and choreographic works including Le Voyage d’hiver (2001), AMERIQUE (2006) and Gonzo Conférence (2007). In 2010, she created La Bibliothèque (The Library), a performance produced with 23 residents of the Cité Universitaire Internationale in Paris. The piece has been since presented in countries around the world, including the 2013 edition of FIAF’s Crossing the Line Festival. In 2013, the Centre Pompidou‘s Nouveau Festival commissioned Chaillé’s piece La Clairière, created with set designer Nadia Lauro.
Presenters & Sponsors
The Teens Library is a co-production by the New York Public Library, as part of its program Literacy Leaders, and by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy as part of its program Kids Trail. This program was made possible by EHA Foundation, Inc, FACE Foundation, Institut français-Paris, and the French Ministry of Culture and Communication. Major support for after-school programming is provided by Arthur W. Koenig; the Andreas C. Dracopoulos Family Endowment for Young Audiences; Stavros Niarchos Foundation; the Mr. and Mrs. Timothy R. Barakett Endowment for Children’s and Young Adult Programs and Services; the E.H.A. Foundation Endowment for Literacy Programming; The Frederick P. & Sandra P. Rose Foundation; The Bok Family Foundation; Booth Ferris Foundation; The New York Life Foundation; The Pinkerton Foundation; News Corp; Con Edison; and The Walt Disney Company, with additional support from the Estate of Brooke Russell Astor and the Estate of Mary McConnell Bailey.