AVANTAPRESMARS

INTROVERSION

When I finished I Am A Little Soldier, I thought that my next project would be an accomplishment of that time of inner war, and that the name of it would be “Le Combat continue” (“the fight goes on”). I

was in a “little soldier” state of mind. It seemed to me that it could be the proper title for a life of ordinary fights as a toy soldier. I thought that my style would be better and that I’d shoot more spectacular things maybe, justifying my growth as a “valuable warrior” of today. How corny! After I Am A Little Soldier, I kept shooting. And a lot of things changed in this life around. And when you shoot life, you can’t really decide in advance what will be told anyway.

I was in London one year later, in a cab, when I was thinking that it was the end of an era and that I should start to build the project and organize all my shots. As I looked at the city life and the giant ads standing out against the clear sky, I was feeling that “Le Combat continue” was not the proper title. A fight going on – that really wasn’t what happened in the past year I shot! In the meantime, and for a couple of days, words kept turning in my head: “Avant après mars”… “Avant après mars”… It’s a song by Liaisons Dangereuses I hated before but which had started to haunt me a while ago. The words are from a prophecy of Nostradamus also. How weird. Now I feel like it was written just for me! As the cab went by the dark brick walls around Greenwich, it started to be obvious that it was going to be the title of my next installment. It felt connected somehow, I couldn’t escape it. How cruel. How could a title that stupid be in front of my work? Why an excerpt of an obscure song of the 80s, taken from a prophecy of Nostradamus, would end up as the model of my work? At the beginning of this month of april 2010, I was both relieved that I found the matching title and sad it seemed to be so shallow. But things happen for a reason.

Avant Après Mars. Before After Mar(ch/s). If this title imposed itself, it was because of some sort of logic. I began to get it: I started shooting it around march, and it was going to end up at the same period. But also, Mars is the god of war – “before and after mars” appears as a reference to an evanescent, dissolving war… strange time for little soldiers! This work thus appeared to be transitional. It’s both a come-back to the roots and a dive into new worlds. Araki says that photography is a journey, but to me it is also a battle, photographers always have to struggle with reality: that’s the mars aspect of it. But this work is a journey too in fact. There’s a before and an after. And it’s a cosmical journey. I always thought that photography had something cosmical in it. When I shoot, I feel in connection with the stars and the planet, I am armed with a small telescope made with silicon or silver chemical, materials from outer space…

This period I had lived was a journey to mars, a journey to the core of myself as a photographer. A journey to solitude. From the bright sun of the parties I so much went to. Through all the travels I had to make to escape, a bit like Mercury. Through the arms of Venus. Through the family I didn’t really look at until then, and the livelihood of planet earth. Some other plans kept me busy after this London trip and I couldn’t really put an end to my project as I wanted – I knew what my work was about, but didn’t “have” the end of the journey. As I floated among all the intellectual logics I was studying, photography began to be a shapeless concept in my head. I didn’t know where I was going. Didn’t care much. I was more and more interested in politic, history of the independences… Action. Fantasy as usual! I was in Arles when I really knew that this project was over – when I shot what I knew what was the last picture. I had a rough day with people understanding photography as criminals could understand justice – so just as a distant theory. Like any good catholic when disappointed, I ran into a Cathedral, the beautiful Saint-Trophime. Facing the Christ bathed in a kinda white artificial light, I finally breathed calmly and I heard the words clearly into my head: “le combat continue”. The battle continues. I finally heard the words. Avant Après Mars was no more – or was maybe reigning forever, like in the prophecy. The transition was done. I could start to put things together, which took me a while (I Am A Little Soldier was first made as a real photo album, but Avant Après Mars was composed 100% digitally – and you don’t really spare time this way in fact).

The narration is split in five chapters depicting this awkward travel through space and time. Soleil (sun) is the first one. It’s paradoxically a nocturnal chapter: the journey starts in the blinding lights of the parties, in the warm core of this world. Mercure (mercury) is the next step. It’s where things start to move, when the atmosphere starts to cool down to allow some kind of movement. Daylight is finally appearing and as the sun fades, we’re getting close to another star - Venus. This third chapter is a sentimental one. It is about a relationship between a man and a woman, and the camera in the middle. It is about, like the girl says in a way, Mars and Venus being two different planets. The fourth chapter comes logically in the middle: it’s Terre (earth). It is about people, relationships, and family. Simple and necessary things. But the fifth chapter still has to go beyond that, further away in the solar system. We’re finally at the goal of this journey: Mars. But is it really the goal? It’s a world of introspection. Inner peace. And inner wars.

People who have read I Am A Little Soldier won’t be lost in this succession of chapters – I used in this project some of the processes and structures they already

know, specially the musical quotes, disseminated among the pages. Once again, those are snapshots of the reality around, of the social sound. They embroider the story and tell its unheard world. This time, some of them are in French. I feel that it was part of the transition – acceptance of a culture. Discovery of new ways of expression. “Remembrance of things past”. They aren’t necessarily what I like to listen to. They are just part of this big world I want to be ready to shoot. I always try. As I write those lines, I know that Avant Après Mars is only the second installment of a “phautobiagraphy” (or is it a “phautofiction”? We’ll have to ask Philippe Lejeune!) that will contain three elements. Avant Après Mars is a transitional moment. It’s a moment full of wonders. Revelations will come later.

CP, 2011.

« L’an mil neuf cens nonante neuf sept mois,Du ciel viendra un grand Roy d’effrayeur :

Resusciter le grand Roy d’Angolmois, Avant apres Mars regner par bon heur. »

- Nostradamus (or Liaisons Dangereuses)

SOLEIL

Dans le solstice hyemal et la prime...

Dans le solstice hyemal et la prime...

Environée de marais en cristal...

Environée de marais en cristal...

Faut rentrer dare-dare dans la ligne de coke

Faut rentrer dare-dare dans la ligne de coke

Vagues perpétuelles

Vagues perpétuelles

Sous la pression d’un monde parallèle

Sous la pression d’un monde parallèle

On s’envoie dans l’espace, la tête sur orbite

On s’envoie dans l’espace, la tête sur orbite

L’enfer va commencer

L’enfer va commencer

Déguisé en gentleman

Déguisé en gentleman

Les démons complotent

Les démons complotent

On ne m’a pas dit ce que j’allais devenir - que mes démons fuiraient, mais qu’ils allaient revenir

L’ennui, le pire ennemi du banlieusard

L’ennui, le pire ennemi du banlieusard

Sur les pistes noir de préférence

Sur les pistes noir de préférence

Les spliffs que je fume préparent mon cancer

Les spliffs que je fume préparent mon cancer

Les bijoux dans l’ombre gagnent en éclat

Les bijoux dans l’ombre gagnent en éclat

Des Carmencitas de faubourg

Des Carmencitas de faubourg

Sous l’oeil éternel d’une étoile filante

Sous l’oeil éternel d’une étoile filante

“Let me tell you about these streets”

“Let me tell you about these streets”

Mercure

You fade to grey like submarines

You fade to grey like submarines

This is a reminiscent drive

This is a reminiscent drive

The splendor in every colour

The splendor in every colour

Red light, green light...

Red light, green light...

It’s a jinx

It’s a jinx

Captured in winter’s grip

Captured in winter’s grip

It’s untold like the truth, they thirsty for my juice

It’s untold like the truth, they thirsty for my juice

For a while....

For a while....

Summertime always gives me the blues

Summertime always gives me the blues

I’m reaching thru the noise Across the dusk of time

I’m reaching thru the noise Across the dusk of time

Venus

S’avance en éclaireur la Venus d’argent

S’avance en éclaireur la Venus d’argent

Première à éclairer la nuit

Première à éclairer la nuit

Dans le grand sommeil des masses

Dans le grand sommeil des masses

“Honey”

“Honey”

En vivant son conte de fée

En vivant son conte de fée

Plus haut que les nués

Plus haut que les nués

Et le temps arrêté

Et le temps arrêté

Au dessus du corps d’une jeune fille

Au dessus du corps d’une jeune fille

“Des actrices ? No comment.”

“Des actrices ? No comment.”

Le mauvais temps n’est pas le froid ou le gris

Le mauvais temps n’est pas le froid ou le gris

Née des caprices

Née des caprices

Dataromance

Dataromance

Terre

Conquest of the irrational

Conquest of the irrational

That’s right we’re tougher than tough times

That’s right we’re tougher than tough times

Miracles for the faithful

Miracles for the faithful

Since I changed my view

Since I changed my view

We are alive in amazing times

We are alive in amazing times

Blowing like a bubble

Blowing like a bubble

Everything you do is a balloon

Everything you do is a balloon

Some people chase for thrills, but I got mine for free

Some people chase for thrills, but I got mine for free

Cruising far above the clouds

Cruising far above the clouds

Me and my homies though

Me and my homies though

Summer, winter, summer, june

Summer, winter, summer, june

Stars are just beginning to appear

Stars are just beginning to appear

Quand on sait ce que l’homme vaut, on se fatigue pas à prêcher !

Quand on sait ce que l’homme vaut, on se fatigue pas à prêcher !

Mars

Je suis venu sur terre pour voir

Je suis venu sur terre pour voir

Des larmes de plomb

Des larmes de plomb

La plupart de mon temps à rien faire, regarder les gens faire

La plupart de mon temps à rien faire, regarder les gens faire

A la vitesse de la lumière noire

A la vitesse de la lumière noire

Trouver ce second souffle

Trouver ce second souffle

Chacun son étrange devise

Chacun son étrange devise

“Les meilleurs ouvriers sont à l’usine”

“Les meilleurs ouvriers sont à l’usine”

Rien n’a commencé, je me dis que tout est fini

Rien n’a commencé, je me dis que tout est fini

Aujourd’hui c’est hier ou on est déjà demain...

Aujourd’hui c’est hier ou on est déjà demain...

La politique de l’espoir me remplit de combats

La politique de l’espoir me remplit de combats

Le combat continue

Le combat continue

INDEX OF QUOTES

Quote / artist / title / album or EP

“Dans le solstice hyemal et la prime...” / Liaisons Dangereuses / Avant Après Mars / Liaisons Dangereuses

“Environée de marais en cristal...” / Liaisons Dangereuses / Avant Après Mars / Liaisons Dangereuses

“Faut rentrer dare-dare dans la ligne de coke” / Claude Nougaro / Nougayork / Nougayork

“Vagues perpétuelles” / Alain Bashung / Madame Rêve / Climax

“Sous la pression d’un monde parallèle” / Oxmo Puccino / Parallèles / Le Cactus de Sibérie

“On s’envoie dans l’espace, la tête sur orbite” / Orelsan / Etoiles invisibles / Perdu d’avance

“L’enfer va commencer” / Axel Bauer / Cargo de nuit / Cargo

“Déguisé en gentleman” / Oxmo Puccino / La Femme de sa nuit / Lipopette Bar

“Les démons complotent” / Oxmo Puccino / La Nuit m’appelle / Le Cactus de Sibérie

“On ne m’a pas dit ce que j’allais devenir - que mes démons fuiraient, mais qu’ils allaient revenir” / Booba / Izi Money / 0.9

“L’ennui, le pire ennemi du banlieusard” / Booba / 0.9 / 0.9

“Sur les pistes noir de préférence” / Etienne Daho / Tombé pour la France / Tombé pour la France

“Les spliffs que je fume préparent mon cancer” / Hasta Siempre / Trop de peines / Paid in soul

“Les bijoux dans l’ombre gagnent en éclat” / Arthur H / Les Parures secrètes / Des Fleurs pour Madame X

“Des Carmencitas de faubourg” / Jacques Brel / Knokke-le-Zoute Tango / Les Marquises

“Sous l’oeil éternel d’une étoile filante” / Booba / Pitbull / Ouest Side

“Let me tell you about these streets” / Snoop Dog feat. Nate Dogg / Crazy / Tha Blue Carpet Treatment

“You fade to grey like submarines” / DJ Fresh / Submarines / Exit From Planet Monday

“This is a reminiscent drive” / A Reminiscent Drive / Serenade / Mercy Street

“The splendor in every colour” / Magma / Call from the dark / Merci

“Red light, green light” / Roni Size feat. Method Man / Ghetto Celebrity / In The Mode

“It’s a jinx” / Tuxedomoon / East/Jinx / Desire

“Captured in Winter’s grip” / Massive Attack / Future Proof / 100th Window

“It’s untold like the truth, they thirsty for my juice” / Big L / Furious Anger / The Archives 1996-2000

“For a while” / A Reminiscent Drive / What’s Your Style / Ambrosia

“Summertime always gives me the blues” / Massive Attack / Lately / Blue Lines

“I’m reaching thru the noise across the dusk of time” / The Smashing Pumpkins / The Crying Tree Of Mercury / Machina/the machines of God

“S’avance en éclaireur la Venus d’argent” / Serge Gainsbourg / Melody / Histoire de Melody Nelson

“Première à éclairer la nuit” / Alain Bashung / Venus / Bleu pétrole

“Dans le grand sommeil des masses” / Alias Mash feat. Hasta Siempre / L’Harmonie / Dans mes rêves

“Honey” / Erykah Badu / Honey / New Amerykah Part One

“En vivant son conte de fée” / Oxmo Puccino / Conte de fée / Lipopette Bar

“Plus haut que les nués” / Alain Bashung / Venus / Bleu pétrole

“Et le temps arrêté” / Jacques Brel / La Ville s’endormait / Les Marquises

“Au dessus du corps d’une jeune fille” / Brigitte Fontaine / Comme à la radio / Genre Humain

“Des actrices ? No comment” / Serge Gainsbourg / No Comment / Love on the Beat

“Le mauvais temps n’est pas le froid ou le gris” / Oxmo Puccino / 365 Jours / L’Arme de paix

“Née des caprices” / Alain Bashung / Venus / Bleu pétrole

“Dataromance” / Ellen Allien / Dataromance / Stadtkind

“Conquest of the irrational” / DJ Vadim / Conquest Of The Irrational / Conquest Of The Irrational

“That’s right we’re tougher than tough times” / Mos Def / Workers Comp / The Ecstatic

“Miracles for the faithful” / Bang Bang / Silicone / Silicone

“Since I changed my view” / Wahoo feat. Paul Randolph / Don’t Take It Personal / Take It Personal

“We are alive in amazing times” / Mos Def / Life In Marvelous Times / The Ecstatic

“Blowing like a bubble” / Notorious B.I.G. / Everyday Struggle / Ready To Die

“Everything you do is a balloon” / Boards Of Canada / Everything You Do Is A Balloon / Boc Maxima

“Some people chase for thrills, but I got mine for free” / Dizze Rascall feat. Armand Van Helden / Bonkers / Tongue N’Cheek

“Cruising far above the clouds” / Bang Bang / Auntie Aviator / Silicone

“Me and my homies though” / Nate Dogg feat. 2Pac / Me And My Homies / G-Funk Classics

“Summer, winter, summer, june” / Mos Def / History / The Ecstatic

“Stars are just beginning to appear” / Joanna Newsom / Good Intentions Paving Company / Have One On Me

“Quand on sait ce que l’homme vaut, on se fatigue pas à prêcher” / Oxmo Puccino / Nirvana / Lipopette Bar

“Je suis venu sur terre pour voir” / Orelsan / Etoiles invisibles / Perdu d’avance

“Des larmes de plomb” / Booba / Le Météore / Ouest Side

“La plupart de mon temps à rien faire, regarder les gens faire” / Oxmo Puccino / Parallèles / Le Cactus de Sibérie

“A la vitesse de la lumière noire” / Oxmo Puccino / Demain peut-être / L’Amour est mort

“Trouver ce second souffle” / Mash 12Mé feat. Fisto / J’Aimais dire jamais / Parmi tant d’autres

“Chacun son étrange devise” / 12Mé & Raph / Tranche de vies / Headfones 0.1

“Les meilleurs ouvriers sont à l’usine” / Sefyu / Le Journal / Suis-je le gardien de mon frère ?

“Rien n’a commencé, je me dis que tout est fini” / Booba / 0.9 / 0.9

“Aujourd’hui c’est hier ou on est déjà demain” / Disiz / La Fin du début / Disiz The End

“La politique de l’espoir me remplit de combats” / Diam’s / I Am Somebody / S.O.S

“Le combat continu” / Idéal J / Le Combat continu / Le Combat continu

Time Show Act

Act 1 : I Am A Little SoldierAct 2 : Avant Après MarsAct 3 : The Lybian SketchbooksAct 4 : The American SketchbooksAct 5 : Leisure Class Hero