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Friday, October 4, 5pm
Sala Quetzal, Biblioteca Pública, Relox 50A
$110 Tickets
From the author of cult classic Widow Basquiat, this memoir is a tale of two cities and their artists. It recreates the fury, ecstasy and danger that made 70s Mexico City and 80s New York two of the greatest places to be young, free and alive.
Following the presentation, there will be an author book signing.
Growing up in Mexico City, Jennifer Clement lived next door to Frida Kahlo’s house. It was an unorthodox and bohemian childhood, living alongside artists, communists, revolutionaries and poets, and one that allowed an awakening of creative freedom and curiosity about the world.
Leaving behind the revolutions in Latin America for the burgeoning counter-culture scene in 80s New York, Clement quickly became a fixture on the art scene, inhabiting the world of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Colette Lumiere and William Burroughs, and frequenting The Mudd Club, Danceteria and Studio 54.
The event is sponsored by Aurora Books of San Miguel.
Jennifer Clement
Is perhaps best known for her novels, including Prayers for the Stolen, which was made into an Oscar-nominated film; A True Story Based on Lies; The Poison That Fascinates; and Gun Love; she has also written several poetry books.
Jennifer also wrote the acclaimed memoir Widow Basquiat about the New York City art scene in the early 1980’s and the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat, which NPR named best book of 2015. Her newest book, The Promised Party is a prequel to Widow Basquiat. Her books have been translated into 38 languages and have received numerous international awards.
She is also known for her humanitarian work. She is President Emerita of PEN International, the human rights and freedom of expression organization, and the only woman to hold the office of President since the organization’s founding over 100 years ago. Under her leadership, the groundbreaking PEN International Women’s Manifesto and The Democracy of the Imagination Manifesto were created. In her previous role as President of PEN Mexico (2009-2012), she was instrumental in changing the law to make the killing of journalists a federal crime. As one reviewer put it, Jennifer Clement has lived “a life like no other, and made of it a shimmering mosaic, a masterpiece, with an artist’s eye and a poet’s pen….”
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