17:06 Dec 19, 2011 

I agree with both Mimi's and Nikki's suggestions, and would like to venture "exciting talents"; this may or may not be an appropriate interpretation, but if it's apparent that his "coups de coeur" have excited him, it could be acceptable. As for "moments de liberté", I suggest "flights of fancy"

14:56 Dec 19, 2011 

@ David and Nikki gosh you are good Sherlocks!
the asker

14:29 Dec 19, 2011 

then effectively, this would have come up... :

http://www.erikbarray.com/journal/page05.swf

14:28 Dec 19, 2011 

Hi hi hi! 8-))
Yes, given the more recent comments from the Asker, it does indeed look like you had been sniffin' up the right tree!
Nikki

14:21 Dec 19, 2011 

They say enigmatic can be an attractive quality. But I assure you I was trying to be very straightforward.

The asker's text deals with a specific artist/commissaire and a specific exhibition. I think I know who the artist is and what the exhibition is.

My comments are in part based on that "secret" knowledge, even though I am not certain I have guessed correctly.

Less mysterious, I hope?

14:18 Dec 19, 2011 

I have a regular 'coup de coeur' for lots of context! Thank you for this. It is always nice to have a fairly well targetted chunk of context!

14:13 Dec 19, 2011 

It is the year of the artist/author's 50th Bday, so he wants to celebrate by showing an artist friend each month, an artist's pick as opposed to the stuck up choice of establishment galleries...
Thanks all for your suggestions and help

14:01 Dec 19, 2011 

David,

Hmm, enigmatic to the point that I am afraid I do not get the gist of what you are referring to!

Nikki

13:35 Dec 19, 2011 

I'm assuming I know who the artist is. Since the asker hasn't shared that, I won't either.

13:17 Dec 19, 2011 

I agree that there is room for anything from one of the classic renderings to something a step or two away!
Yes, there is a party, celebration, "fête", whatever. Where does the borthday thing come into it? Or am I missing something?

13:08 Dec 19, 2011 

For me, this is one of those nightmare phrases in French for which there is no reasonable direct translation into English (it is more "personal picks" or "the X's choice" than "favorites") and which is often used in titles and other contexts which scream out for a word-to-word translation. In the text you have (if I'm guessing correctly) with its off-kilter conversational tone, you have a lot of liberty to go for tone rather than word-for-word - "12 birthday boy picks" ??

12:59 Dec 19, 2011 

Even if as I assume (perhaps falsely) the announced excuse for this exhibition is a birthday, it still seems to be an exhibition. I see no indication that it is a party, rather it is celebrating.

12:48 Dec 19, 2011 

A simple websearch would have provided the meaning, the sens. Thereafter, fine tuning is sometimes required to fit the tone and the context. Websearches and dictioary searches often give you exactly what you need... and almost immediately! ;-)

12:00 Dec 19, 2011 

It is very difficult to get the tone right without seeing more of the text. What are you going to do with 'moments de liberté', for instance? We could try to help you find something to match that at least.

11:32 Dec 19, 2011 

Agree with Jane. I often translate this expression as "favourites" or "special... something or other, depending on what they are, but in your context we need much more information.

11:31 Dec 19, 2011 

here the author is referring to 12 artistes he likes and has chosen to promote in his art studio by throwing a party....

11:27 Dec 19, 2011 

I think a bit more context would be useful, otherwise it's hard to tell what type of thing is being referred to.