Anne-James Chaton

Born in 1970 in Besançon, Anne-James Chaton is a writer.

Anne-James Chaton has developed a multi-polar body of work, based on an in-depth study of the textual materials that make up the everyday life of contemporary society. This ‘poor’ literature comprises a multitude of machine-printed documents: bank receipts, shopping receipts, flyers, business cards, etc. are the source of Anne-James’ research into sound, poetry and visual art, which he develops in personal projects and collaborations with artists from different fields. The polyglot dimension of his work has led him to collaborate with foreign artists such as: Andy Moor (The Ex), German musician Carsten Nicolaï and Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore.
His books are published by P.O.L, a French publishing house, and his music by Raster-Noton. He recently joined the well-known NOTON record label.
Since 2021 he has been a scholarship holder at Villa Medici, Academy of France in Rome.

His project at the Villa Medici allowed Anne-James Chaton to roam the streets of Rome reading The Natural History by Pliny the Elder. He intends to prove, on a daily basis, the genuineness of the Latin writer’s assertions. Why is wheat sold at low prices in some places? When did barbers appear for the first time? What waters can change the color of the human body? The texts of the Roman writer and naturalist will also allow him to address the great questions of our time: why do sinkholes form in the land? Why have some of them been completely changed at sea? What particular remedies can be taken from animals?

 

Photo © photographie Enna