Char, René

A collection of original letters, postcards and telegrams sent to the poet and photographer Lütfi Özkök. The collection consists of 84 letters, 14 postcards, 4 poems in handwriting, 7 telegrams and a few miscellaneous items, such as a letter to Özkök from Marie-Claude, the last woman in Char's life. Özkök met with Char for the first time through Michel Deguy in 1961. The meeting resulted in a photo session in Char's Paris apartment, and their more than 25-year long correspondance began shortly thereafter. Özkök's next visit, to Char's home in l'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, was made in 1967, when they started to make plans for a cooperation on a photo book on the Vaucluse area, where Char lived and where he also grew up. It resulted in a short film by Özkök on Char's poetry, released in 1972 and broadcast by Swiss-Italian television. Özkök made several trips to l'Isle-surla-Sorgue during the following years, as the friendship developed between the two. The last visit was made in July 1987, shortly before the death of Char. Özkök is the photographer behind several of the wide-spread portraits of Char, who refers to a photo by Özkök in one of the letters, saying that he wishes to be remembered exactly the way he appears on that photo. A full listing will be sent upon request.