René Taesch (12 February 1952 – 9 March 2021) was a French photographer, musician, and writer.[1]

René Taesch
au Café Mathis, Metz, 2007
Born12 February 1952
Died9 March 2021(2021-03-09) (aged 69)
Metz, France
NationalityFrench
Occupation(s)Photographer
Musician
Writer

Biographer

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Taesch grew up in Petite-Rosselle in Lorraine to an impoverished family. He was placed in foster care at the age of 11 and experienced great mistreatment. After several years of factory work and even stints of homelessness, he developed a passion for photography, music, and writing. In 1997, he had a collection titled Portrait de groupe avant démolition published by Stock. The photographs expressed life on the streets and was accompanied by texts by Denis Robert. That same year, he appeared in the documentary Journal intime des affaires en cours by Philippe Harel.[2] In 2007, he published his autobiography, Rue des Singes.[3] In 2014, he exhibited his collection Human Matos at several museums and galleries, particularly the House of Culture and Recreation in Metz.[4]

In addition to his photography, Taesch was a musician, performing the genre known as krautrock alongside the group Dewendel's Dämbe. In 2017, they released a track titled Der Himmel Brennt under the Les Disques de la Face Cachée and Schnitz Production labels.[5]

René Taesch died of cancer in Metz on 9 March 2021 at the age of 69.[6]

Bibliography

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  • Portrait de groupe avant démolition (1997)
  • Rue des singes (2007)

Discography

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  • La Femme aux trois cerveaux (1995)
  • Der Himmel Brennt (2017)

References

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  1. ^ "Denis Robert : « La vie de René Taesch est un film »". Le Républicain Lorraine (in French). 10 March 2021.
  2. ^ "René Taesch". BnF Data (in French).
  3. ^ "« Rue des singes » : déchéance et rédemption de René Taesch". L'Obs (in French). 2 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Le CRI des Lumières Human Matos". Le CRI des Lumières (in French). 27 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Dewendel' Dämbe* – Der Himmel Brennt". Discogs. 3 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Disparition : René Taesch, une vie brisée". Le Républicain Lorraine (in French). 10 March 2021.