Branchages n°42

Jochen Gerner studied fine arts in Nancy from 1988 to 1993. After his studies, he began illustrating and published some pages in the collective album Périphéries (L'Association). His first comic was published by L'Association in the collection Patte de Mouche: 'Boîte de Vitesse et Viande en Boîte'. His comics were also published in Les Inrockuptibles, Lapin and Fusée. L'Association published some albums with his comics: 'Court-circuits Géographiques,' 'Politique Étrangère,' (with Lewis Trondheim) and 'Un Temps.' In 2003 Gerner created 'TNT en Amérique' (2003), an experimental and socially conscious parody of Hergé's 'Tintin in America' (1930), but with most panels blacked out, except for scenes of violence. To avoid copyright issues Gerner merely reproduced actual dialogues and images from the original through a series of words and symbols. The spoof ought to be understood as a criticism of America's violent past and present and can best be read by comparing it with the corresponding pages of Hergé's original. Certain pages of Gerner's deconstruction have also been exhibited in Paris (2005) and Rennes (2006). Besides comics, Gerner creates illustrations for magazines and newspapers (Libération, Le Monde, New York Times) and children's books. Text (c) Lambiek