Mon Amour (Désolé pour les carrelages)

Mon Amour (Désolé pour les carrelages) is a text linked to the renovation of my grandmother’s flat. It is a combination and a mix of observations linked to the transformation of the space, fragments of conversations, dreams, prayers or horoscopes. Each of these words have been uttered in the flat over the course of its history, be it before or during the renovation. The repetitive text questions the limit between occupying a space and haunting it.

At Espace Vallet, in Vercorin, in 2015, a performer sat still for an hour, waiting for the end of the guided tour to the exhibition “Présences, Edouard Vallet – Eric Philippoz”. He then stood up and recited the text to the audience, in a very neutral but straight manner.



text and performance
Espace Vallet, Vercorin, 15.08.2015
 

(text excerpt)

Mon Amour,
I will die.
Mon Amour
I am dead.
Look at me
I am dead.
I’ve come to haunt you
See?
I’ve come to haunt you.
I decided I would last night over dinner.
I was eating alone.
I said to myself.

Mon Amour,
I’m sorry about the tiles.

Mon Amour, I’m going to die.
I’ll smile at you one last time,
I’ll thank you for coming,
I’ll turn around,
Wave goodbye,
And die.
Mon amour
I am dead.
I’ve cried in your arms.
I’ve tasted your body.
Every part.
Every centimeter of skin.
I’ve stroked your hair, warmed your hands.
I’ve torn out the tiles.

Mon Amour.

You still see me here,
Every time you come in.
You dream of me
You forget me.
You kill me.
You repent.
Mon Amour.

Mon Amour,
You’re forgetting my voice

Mon Amour,
You watch me.
You judge me.
You love me.
You hate me.
Mon amour,
You are dead.
Your body – cold, still
Silent
An image.

Mon Amour,
I’ve forgotten your smile.

Mon Amour,
I don’t miss you.
See?
I’ve already stopped thinking of you.

Mon Amour,
I am here.
At the door
In the kitchen.
In the bedroom.
Beside you as you sleep.
I’ve come to haunt you.
I decided I would last night over dinner.

Don’t cry
I’m just kidding.
I’ll pray for you.

Mon Amour,
I love you (whispered).

Mon Amour,
I dream of you.
You’re washing the dishes.
You don’t need to.
I stroke your hair.
You don’t need to.

Welcome home, mon Amour.

I’ve come to haunt you.
I decided I would last night.
I’ve come to haunt you.
Until I die.

Fill the space.

A presence.