THE FRIENDS OF THE A. A. BRILL LIBRARY
of The New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute
invite you to a Special Event in celebration of
the Centenary of The New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute
Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 7:00 P.M.
Auditorium, The New York Psychoanalytic Institute
247 East 82nd Street, NYC
CREATED IN OUR OWN IMAGES.COM
Homo Replicans or Homo Sapiens
Book presentation and discussion with
Fred Sander, Peter Dunn, Tom Freudenheim, and Adrienne Munich
In 1871 W.S. Gilbert’s most popular play Pygmalion and Galatea Pygmalion created copies of his wife/model Cynisca, one of whom, Galatea comes to life. Gilbert’s play anticipates some of Freud’s earliest theories as well as 21st century cloning. The republication of this lost text is an opportunity to reflect on our species’ proclivity to replicate itself artistically, psychologically, culturally and biologically (stem-cell research).
“From ancient myth to today’s headlines, Created in Our Own Images.com explores humankind’s impulse to replicate itself, and the ethical issues that abound. W. S. Gilbert’s 1871 comedy Pygmalion and Galatea provides a springboard for discussions by scholars in the sciences and the humanities, offering a banquet of food for thought for the general reader.”
–Ralph MacPhail, Jr.
Professor of Theatre Emeritus, Bridgewater College of Virginia;
Artistic Director, The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Austin
Fred Sander, M.D., editor of Created In Our Own Images.Com will introduce the book and read passages from the play.
Peter Dunn, M.D. Director of Clinical Services, New York Psychoanalytic Institute will discuss the concept of the “doppelganger” in psychoanalysis.
Tom Freudenheim is an Art historian and retired museum director (Baltimore, Worcester, Berlin, London). Most recently he served as Assistant Secretary for Museums at the Smithsonian. He writes regularly for the Wall Street Journal and other publications. He will discuss the role of replication in art.
Adrienne Munich, Ph.D. is an English Professor at Stony Brook University, with interests in Victorian literature and culture, feminist theory, material culture, and fashion theory. She is the author of “Andromeda’s Chains,” “Gender and Interpretation in Victorian Poetry and Art,” “Queen Victoria’s Secrets,” and will discuss gender roles as represented in Gilbert’s play.
Matthew von Unwerth, Director of the Abraham A. Brill Library and author of Freud’s Requiem will moderate the panel.
Those attending please RSVP by email to library@nypsi.org, or by phone (212/879-6900). Admission will be based on priority of registration.
The Friends of the Library need your help. Those wishing to contribute should make checks payable to The New York Psychoanalytic Society and Institute (memo: Friends of the Library). Donations may also be made with a credit card by contacting Sharon Weller at 212/879-6900 or at admdir@nypsi.org.