Jacques Cloarec

Writer, Photographer

It was Maurice Béjart who first gave me the opportunity to explore an unknown field in greater detail. He invited me to none other than the Scala de Milan to photograph the show that he was putting on “Martyre de Saint Sébastien”, words by Annunzio, music by Debussy. When I arrived in Milan, I was inexperienced and the choreographer told me that the challenge was capturing the movement. As a beginner, I was all the more anxious to prove myself to him, faced with the monopoly of the pair of seasoned photographers, approved by the theatre.

I stayed in Milan for a week while they were preparing for this show. The ballet, still in the “20th century” was there in full, accompanied by members of the Comédie Française.

A young, beautiful and shy dancer performed the lead role of Sébastien, Eric Vu-An, released from the Paris Opera for the occasion. The show’s big star had to dance, sing and recite Annunzio’s verbose text.

This was the start of a long, comfortable friendship that has continued ever since: I have witnessed all the stages in Eric’s career and accompanied him on glorious tours in Italy where he danced as a soloist. I was present at Pescara at the moving “Chant du Compagnon Errant” in partnership with Nureyev, at his One Man Show, witnessed his partnership with Zizi Jeanmaire, Shaka at the Grand Palais, Kabuki with the Tokyo ballet etc. I have therefore built up a very significant photographic collection about him and the choreographies of Maurice Béjart during the 80s. Sometimes, Eric finds the time to come and take refuge at our Roman home, where he met Alain Daniélou with whom he has had long and lively discussions about class, race and the meaning of life. I think that these, often contradictory, discussions are one of the elements that have helped him stabilise his personality.

He is one of the most delightful guests that we have welcomed to our “labryinthe”, respectful of the house rules.

His loyalty to his friends is exemplary.

Jacques Cloarec

Le Labyrinthe, 25th July 2012