Post mortem Book and Exhibit by Edouard Levé (1965-2007)

Seven months ago, on October 15, 2007, Edouard Lévé, aged 42. Parisian writer, photographer and artist committed suicide.

Three days before he died, he gave the manuscript of his book Suicide to his publisher. It tells the story of the suicide of a 25-year-old friend of his, twenty years ago. The book, published by P.O.L., is just out.

This book follows the tribute photograph exhibit ÉDOUARD LEVÉ [1965-2007] – Exposition hommage à Édouard Levé at the Loevenbruck Gallery [from March14th to May 10, 2008]. This exhibit is separated on eight different presentations which will be open every Tuesday till May 10, 2008.

“His death was the most important word of his life.” Edouard Levé , Suicide (P.O.L. – March 2008).

Edouard Levé (left, behind) on October 10, 2007, 5 days before he died, in the LH Gallery, Paris

From the book “Suicide” by Edouard Levé
(ed: P.O.L. – March, 2008) :

“Ta vie fut une hypothèse.
Ceux qui meurent vieux sont un bloc de passé.
On pense à eux, et apparaît ce qu’ils furent.
On pense à toi, et apparaît ce que tu aurais pu être.
Tu fus et tu resteras un bloc de possibilités.

Ton suicide fut la parole la plus importante de ta vie, mais tu n’en cueilleras pas les fruits.

Es-tu mort puisque je te parle?

Si tu vivais encore, serions-nous amis?
Je fus plus lié à d’autres garçons.
Mais le temps m’a séparé d’eux sans que je m’en aperçoive.
Il suffirait d’un coup de téléphone pour renouer.
Aucun de nous ne risque la désillusion des retrouvailles.
Ton silence est devenu une éloquence.
Mais eux, qui peuvent encore parler, ils restent silencieux.
Je ne repense plus à eux, dont je fus si proche.
Mais toi, autrefois lointain, distant et ténébreux, tu rayonnes à présent près de moi.
Quand je doute, je sollicite tes avis.
Tes réponses me satisfont plus que celles qu’ils pourraient me donner.
Tu m’accompagnes fidèlement, où que je sois.
Ce sont eux les disparus.
Tu es le grand présent.

Tu es un livre qui me parle quand je le veux.
Ta mort a écrit ta vie.

Tu ne me rends pas triste, mais grave.
Tu nuis à mon incurable légèreté.
Quand je suis trop primesautier et que, pour une raison que j’ignore, ton visage m’apparaît, je redonne de l’importance aux gens qui m’entourent.
Les choses prennent un relief que je leur trouve rarement.
Je profite à ta place de ce que tu ne connais plus.
Mort, tu me rends plus vivant.”  Suicide by Edouard Levé (ed: P.O.L. – March, 2008)

by Vesna Gerintes

May 2008

Brave Young Publishers

Post-net writing goes back to paper

Who: Writers and co-editors François (L) and Mathias Richard (R) founders of the publishing house “Caméras animales“.

Why they are so Holy Chic: “Caméras animales” is an independent publishing house based in Tours and Paris. Only a few years old, it is dedicated to alternative French literature by new authors.

Thirty-something editors are trying to establish themselves on the tough playground of countless French publishers by launching unconventional, marginal writers emerging from the Internet, video game and rock’n'roll universe. Language is harsh, edgy and on the verge of experimental literature.

Offbeat authors themselves, and so not necessarily finding favour with mainstream publishers, M & F Richard are staunch defenders of hard-core rebels of the literary world, on the far side of any easy writing.

One of the star writers is the “wild at heart” Thierry Théolier with his book “Crevard”. He is a founder of The Hype Syndicate, a huge Parisian underground net community aimed at exchanging party schedules in order to gate crash them and claim their own part of high society.

By defining himself as “crevard” (outsider, marginal, down and out) and “artist with no deed”, Thierry Théolier stages performances in “off” art galleries and runs a few net newsgroups and community blogs.

For Whom: Though reading their books is a tough task for non-native French readers, “Caméras animales“  has great potential as feeding ground for literary specialists and fans of the digital pleasures, underground literature, net communities and rock’n'roll. The new generation of out-of-the-net and post-net writers is definitely in.

Upside: Is there anything more hip than blend of passion and courage?

Downside: Risk of being readable only for their own ghetto.

by Vesna Gerintes

June 2007