Lecture: Immigration & Belonging in Bandes dessinées with Gala Patenkovic

As part of her internship at the Alliance, University of Michigan PhD candidate Gala Patenkovic will present a lecture highlighting one of the Brown Médiathèque’s most beloved collections: les bandes dessinées !

Originally from Serbia, Gala’s research focuses on the experiences of immigration and belonging as depicted in contemporary French literature, film, and especially comic books. In this program, she’ll share how comics can inform our understanding of novel social and political possiblities in a widely accessible and legible form.

Gala will be joined in conversation by Jessica Harris, Marketing Manager at the Alliance.

After the program, guests will have the chance to continue the conversation with Gala and explore the médiathèque’s BD collection over a complimentary glass of French wine.

Doors at 6:00 pm. Program at 6:30. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Non-alcoholic options will be available.

About the Speaker

Gala Patenkovic is a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. Her dissertation research focuses on French and Francophone comics and the themes of immigration and belonging. Gala received her MA in French, Romance Languages & Literatures from UofM and her BA in French Literature & Modern Languages from Kenyon College. She is a recipient of the Rackham Merit Fellowship and Language Training Awards, as well as a Fellowship for Doctoral Research in Museums. Her research is informed by postcolonial theory, visual and museum studies, and conversations with friends! 

About the Moderator

Jessica Harris is a Mexican/Canadian arts and culture advocate. Her upbringing between countries and cultures led her to develop a sensitive understanding of how the world connects. She has a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a Major in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. She later continued her studies in Media, Art, and Philosophy at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen in the Netherlands. She has contributed to impactful projects such as the 2020 Museum Night Fever in Brussels and the 2021 MOMENTA Biennale in Canada. In 2020, she was awarded a grant from the Canadian Arts Council for her work as a cultural advocate for diversity. The following year, she received an Emerging Artist Award from the Conseil des Arts et des Lettres at the Dance Biennale in Montreal. In the name of art, she has worn many hats: artist, choreographer, cultural mediator, programmer, grant jury member, educator… Today, she brings this experience to her role as Marketing Manager of the Alliance Française de Chicago.

Getting Here

The Alliance Française de Chicago is one block from the CTA Red line stop at Chicago Avenue. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark and the 66 on Chicago Avenue. A Divvy station is located in front of the 54 W Chicago Ave entrance.

Parking Information

$10 for 12 hours at 100 W Chestnut St. Validation is available at reception.

Photography Notice

Please be advised that students, members, and attendees at cultural events or programs may be photographed, and these images may be used for marketing purposes.