EN - Magazine (Online Magazine) - Flipbook - Page 60
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PE
UO
L TP U
L ER E
MALCOLM
PROPHET
OF TOURISM
Text: Claire Thévenau
While many are aware of de Chazal’s colourful paintings,
his writings are less well-known. Nonetheless, it is through
the latter that we can piece together the mystery surrounding
de Chazal and appreciate his love for his island and his
far-sighted anticipation of tourism.
WHO IS MALCOLM DE CHAZAL?
This may seem a simple question but, as we try to analyse the character of the man famous
for his felt hat and thick dark glasses, things become more complex. A trained scientist, mystic,
champion of the legend of Lemuria, artist, dissenter, provocateur – he was all of these during
his life, as well as being a poet and a voice for Life. For him, poetry seems to have been a true
art form for what he wanted to say and what he saw and felt.
After studying sugarcane engineering in Baton Rouge in Louisiana, Malcolm de Chazal soon left
the plantations to become a civil servant in the telecommunications sector. His early writings
were essays on economic topics before he moved on to producing incisive and amusing think
pieces. His extensive bibliography includes key works such as Sens-Plastique, Petrusmok and
Sens unique, as well as numerous articles published in local newspapers. It wasn’t until 1958,
when he was already 56, that he chose to take up painting as medium of expression.
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