| Copyright © 2006 'the indirect Object' all rights reserved. ABN 55 263 640 956 |
Prof. Clochard: ready for his first night on the streets of Paris.
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We created Prof. Clochard in response to the growing number of homeless men on the streets
of Paris, and the increasing number of violent attacks on them since the suburban riots in
2005. In winter 2005-2006, the red cross gave tents to homeless people inside Paris to
protect them from hypothermia and living in a tent in Paris (if you are without other
accommodation) became quasi legal.
As we were living in the Marais, we became accustomed to the two mini tent villages within
seconds walking distance of our apartment. Our main apartment windows looked directly onto
the St. Paul Metro, where up to six tents were installed at a time.
We began to discuss in project meetings -
Why are homeless people dying on the street from cold in Paris?
Why is it said by Parisians that they refuse to go to shelters? Is it true?
Are tents really good enough protection from the damp chill of Paris' winters?
But artistically and culturally, we found the changed urban landscape; filled with
world-renowned architecture when dotted with silver tents a rather remarkable sight.
So we began talking to our neighbourhood Clochards, who we knew quite well - as they liked
to watch (and join in our impromptu window dance installations for the metro commuters of
an afternoon. We were told that NO they did not want to go to shelters, that was beneath
their dignity, and that yes the tents were pretty good, but the blankets they had were always
damp from cold. Most frequently we were asked for cigarettes.
Our neighbourhood Clochards were generally genial, intelligent, educated men who ended up
on the streets one way or another. But were more keen on protecting their independence
from the system than finding a roof for the night.
So we set about thinking of a simple, unobtrusive street theatre project about the Clochards
of Paris, and decided to simply become them ourselves - with the assistance of a puppet.
Prof. Clochard debuted in the Marais September 2006. He sat in a nook along the rue on a
sleeping bag, inside the door of his tent marked 'Marionnette SDF'. A transistor radio tuned to
radio nostalgie next to him. He didn't speak much, just watched, taped his hands to the
music, went through his pockets, and petted his pet (stuffed toy) dog. Most people walked by
moving out of his way being careful not to look - as they do with real homeless people. But
some looked a little closer - and saw he was really a puppet. It was the children who noticed
he was a puppet most of all - or maybe it's just because children are less prejudiced. They
would approach him, say Bonjour Monsieur, and ask if they could touch his giant eyebrows
and nose. Which he did not allow, but it's the thought that counts.
From a puppetry perspective, we asked ourselves - what could happen to old puppets when
they are no longer needed? Maybe they could end up on the streets too, and if they were
living among us - maybe they'd be in a tent by the Seine in Paris too.
Sadly, due to technical problems (bloody irritating technical problems) we don't have any
photos of Prof. Clochard's first night on the streets of Paris. But he'll reappear in Australia.
of Paris, and the increasing number of violent attacks on them since the suburban riots in
2005. In winter 2005-2006, the red cross gave tents to homeless people inside Paris to
protect them from hypothermia and living in a tent in Paris (if you are without other
accommodation) became quasi legal.
As we were living in the Marais, we became accustomed to the two mini tent villages within
seconds walking distance of our apartment. Our main apartment windows looked directly onto
the St. Paul Metro, where up to six tents were installed at a time.
We began to discuss in project meetings -
Why are homeless people dying on the street from cold in Paris?
Why is it said by Parisians that they refuse to go to shelters? Is it true?
Are tents really good enough protection from the damp chill of Paris' winters?
But artistically and culturally, we found the changed urban landscape; filled with
world-renowned architecture when dotted with silver tents a rather remarkable sight.
So we began talking to our neighbourhood Clochards, who we knew quite well - as they liked
to watch (and join in our impromptu window dance installations for the metro commuters of
an afternoon. We were told that NO they did not want to go to shelters, that was beneath
their dignity, and that yes the tents were pretty good, but the blankets they had were always
damp from cold. Most frequently we were asked for cigarettes.
Our neighbourhood Clochards were generally genial, intelligent, educated men who ended up
on the streets one way or another. But were more keen on protecting their independence
from the system than finding a roof for the night.
So we set about thinking of a simple, unobtrusive street theatre project about the Clochards
of Paris, and decided to simply become them ourselves - with the assistance of a puppet.
Prof. Clochard debuted in the Marais September 2006. He sat in a nook along the rue on a
sleeping bag, inside the door of his tent marked 'Marionnette SDF'. A transistor radio tuned to
radio nostalgie next to him. He didn't speak much, just watched, taped his hands to the
music, went through his pockets, and petted his pet (stuffed toy) dog. Most people walked by
moving out of his way being careful not to look - as they do with real homeless people. But
some looked a little closer - and saw he was really a puppet. It was the children who noticed
he was a puppet most of all - or maybe it's just because children are less prejudiced. They
would approach him, say Bonjour Monsieur, and ask if they could touch his giant eyebrows
and nose. Which he did not allow, but it's the thought that counts.
From a puppetry perspective, we asked ourselves - what could happen to old puppets when
they are no longer needed? Maybe they could end up on the streets too, and if they were
living among us - maybe they'd be in a tent by the Seine in Paris too.
Sadly, due to technical problems (bloody irritating technical problems) we don't have any
photos of Prof. Clochard's first night on the streets of Paris. But he'll reappear in Australia.
Prof. Clochard's body waiting for his head and
hands under the massage table.
hands under the massage table.
The Prof. waiting on the couch for
his first outing.
his first outing.
| The History behind Prof. Clochard |
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PROF. CLOCHARD