French writer Michel Houellebecq at 60 — or 62
He made his breakthrough with the provocative novel "Atomised." But as his artistic photos show, writing isn't the only obsession of scandalous French author Michel Houellebecq.
The provocateur
Smoking is just one of his numerous obsessions, says Michel Houellebecq. His first collection of poems "La Poursuite du Bonheur" ("The Pursuit of Happiness") was published in 1991. His 1994 debut novel, "Extension du domaine de la lutte," published as "Whatever" in English, marked his breakthrough in the French literary scene.
Looking into the abyss
His poems and novels often have morbid undertones, highlighting social ruptures and voids. The same holds true for his photographic work, where beauty and truth is accompanied by dangers and abysses, such as in this photo, entitled "Espagne #005."
His view of France
A 2016 exhibition in the Parisian Palais de Tokyo present a series of Houellebecq's photos, all simply entitled "France." Featured above is a path leading to a beach along the Atlantic coast. The tristesse of present-day France is a dominant theme not only in his books, but in his photos as well. They typically depict suburban ghettos, highways, gray tarmac streets and empty parking lots.
Sand desert
Wastelands devoid of human life, as depicted here on "Espagne #009," appear to fascinate Houellebecq. With his camera, he finds pictorial perspectives of inhospitable concrete buildings in the outskirts of Paris or barren landscapes in northern Spain.
Sober colors
The somber colors of Houellebecq's photos also express this sense of tristesse, while his literary works are more shrill. He is fascinated by "the poetry of disgust," he once told Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
...and shrill ones
In June 2016, visitors of the Paris exhibition were able to explore Houellebecq's entire photographic oeuvre in 21 halls spread out over 2,000 square meters. The artist is also obsessed by the shrill and bright colors of advertising panels. Exalted and excessive: these attributes have also contributed to the best-selling author's image.
Controversial books
Many of his works have stirred controversy, and not only in France. In a highly provocative fashion, the author writes on sex tourism, homophobia or Islamophobia. One of his most controversial works, "Submission," was released on the same day as the attacks onsatirical magazine Charlie Hebdo was attacked by Islamist terrorists in 2015.
Poetic devotion
The author has somewhat withdrawn from the public. Following the terrorist attacks on Charlie Hebdo and the publication of "Submission," he has received death threats, and that has obviously affected him. His photo "Arrangement #011" shows a totally different side of Houellebecq, certainly not one that's commonly associated with his persona.
Last words
Tired of the "indictment" that happens with each interview, Michel Houellebecq announced at the Frankfurt Book Fair last year that he would stop giving them. He talked a last time to Spiegel magazine, discussing France, Germany, literature and religion. He also said he was working on a novel, but didn't know when it would be ready.