Rancinan & CharlElie in NYC (2012)
Gérard Rancinan & CharlElie in New York (2012)
Yesterday, October 11th, CharlElie went to see the famous French photographer Gérard Rancinan‘s exhibition in New York. In this photo, the two friends are posing in CharlElie’s gallery in front of one of his NY photo-graph.
CharlElie’s art work exhibited in Strasbourg, France
- CharlElie’s art work exhibited at the Nomade Monade gallery during the St’Art festvial in Strasbourg, France. (2011)
Get CharlElie’s answer
- Have you ever thought about teaching art in a university?
People seem to like asking me this question. It is probably because they have seen me making speeches during conferences and meetings, and because there’s not a single day without me trying to explain what creating is to my visitors at the REGallery NYC.
I could certainly talk about art and creation, or explain what “Multism” means. Multism will be the topic of my lecture at the Sorbonne in a few days.
Who knows? Maybe one day someone will ask me to have a chair for a university.
My qualifications would allow me to, but I’ve never done it yet. I was too busy, and to tell you the truth, I am still a bit scared of that particular atmosphere in the corridors and rooms of the French Universities.
If it happens here in the U.S., I could eventually accept it, but I don’t know, it really depends where…
CharlElie during a conference in Reims, France.
- What is the best concert or performer you have ever seen live on stage?
Three shows left me a special feeling:
First, there is the Dollar Brand concert, a South African jazz pianist, where he played a series of pieces in tribute to Duke Ellington. It was 1973, in my hometown of Nancy, and it moved me to tears.
Then, there is a concert by Tom Verlaine in Paris at the Locomotive. It was in the late 2000s. He displayed beautiful mind control and everything was imperfect.
And finally, an extraordinary Bob Dylan concert at the United Palace Theater in Harlem in November 2008, where I went with one of my daughters.
In life there are ups and downs, but that night I got stuck to the ceiling. The ancient temple turned into a theater. It was divine.
Impressive ease, and he was (for once) generous. Bob Dylan is Bob Dylan, an entity full of power. He’s not a protest songwriter anymore; he is just a great artist. He performed as if he was at home. Accompanied by a hell of a group, he gave life to the dough of his pieces like potter mania clay. It received full spirit. Everything was strong and perfect, even the musicians had style in their gray suits.
Tony Garnier – Bass; George narratives – Drums; Stu Kimball – Rhythm Guitar; Charlie Sexton – Lead Guitar; Donnie Herron – Viola Banjo, Electric Mandolin, Pedal Steel, Lap Steel. No super stars, but all good.
1. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Bob on keyboard)
2. It Is not Me, Babe (Bob on guitar)
3. Man In The Long Black Coat (Bob on guitar)
4. It’s All Good (Bob on keyboard)
5. Spirit On The Water (Bob on keyboard and harp)
6. High Water (For Charley Patton) (Bob on harp center internship, Donnie on banjo)
7. Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) (Bob on keyboard)
8. Forgetful Heart (Bob on harp center internship, Donnie on violin)
9. Cold Irons Bound (Bob on harp center placement)
10. I Feel A Change Comin ‘On (Bob on keyboard)
11. Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard)
12. Workingman’s Blues # 2 (Bob on harp center placement)
13. Thunder On The Mountain (Bob on keyboard)
14. Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob on harp center placement) again:
15. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard)
16. Jolene (Bob on keyboard)
17. All Along The Watchtower (Bob on keyboard)
Mix of old titles and more recent material, Dylan spent more time standing behind his keyboard than in front of the stage on guitar, but who cares.
It avoids the mannerisms and yet there is much elegance in all this.
It’s certainly one of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my life.
Bob Dylan's concert in NY (2008)
- What is your favorite spot in New York?
I must convince you that it is my gallery working space on 362 West 36th (bet. 8th and 9th).
In the working midtown, a multi activity aerie, full of surprises. I love it. As they say: it’s a conjunction in the middle of the town where different forces and strains come together.
CharlElie in front of his gallery in New York (2011)
Get CharlElie’s answer
- What is the craziest thing you ever read about you?
In the 80′s, I produced 4 of Tom November’s albums. Him and I have different artist names, but we are brothers by blood. One day, a gay magazine badly informed, suggested that I helped my dear “boyfriend” Tom November to record his new album…
Tom Novembre's album "Toile Ciree" (1983)
- When did you start to play tennis?
I started to play tennis exactly on November the 9th, 1989. I was on tour in Normandy, watching a report about the demolition of the Berlin Wall, when one of my musicians called to invite me to join them on the hotel’s court. Before, I had played a lot of table tennis, but had never played real tennis before; so I watched them through the window, and considering their freestyle technique, I decided to give it a try. When the manager came to pick us up to leave the hotel, I felt as he was withdrawing me something. Since then, beside some injuries, I’ve never quit. I love tennis.
- What does the RE-Gallery represent to you at this point of your career?
The RE -Gallery NYC is a snorkel. It allows me to swim underwater with my new creations. It’s also a gateway to America. People who enter in my workshop gallery know nothing about who I am, what I’ve done before.They’re just attracted to what they see. I got off the 19th floor where I used to work as an ascetic recluse for seven years, and I now find myself in the street, facing the movements of real life. My work is not anymore only mental, it’s a conjunction, an addition between the street reality and the music is in my head: it looks like what I see behind my windows.
The Re Gallery, West 36th street & 9th av., NYC
CharlElie, September 1rst, 2011 – from New York, NY
