Theo Elker
E N B R E T A G N E
P R O J E C T
My projects – which combine the passion for Brittany with photography, video, music, poetry and graphic design. It all comes together, sometimes on my own, and sometimes with other creative minds and friends.
the minis of Theo
Brest
a small photo book
about the Cité du Ponant
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collection
Reflect & Reflexion
And if the images of Brittany are reflected?
This project creates graphic reflections and
a new sight at familiar places and objects.
the minis of Theo
So Phare
a small photo book
about lights at the end of the world
So Phare
Waiting for the boats
and for a sign
In memory of a summer
and of carefree days
In the hope of a reunion
and of a kiss
In the beam of light from the lighthouse
so far away
- Theo -
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Bretagne and Normandie
VOIX DANS LES AIRS
Sitting on his balcony, observing the world around him, a man begins his day in contemplation. Then he comes across a book. The video takes us on his inner journey – carried by the unique presence of the French ‘Statue Man’ Phil de la Baie, the words of the Icelandic poet Sigurdur Pálsson (1948–2017), the film score by composer Viacheslav Starostin, and the filming locations in Brittany and Normandy.
Videography, Creative Direction: Theo
the minis of Theo
MOMENT IN A SQUARE
snapshots
from here and there
more or less randomly
put in a mosaic
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between reality and fiction
My Album-Covers
Image, word, music – an interplay that transforms a photograph into a musical universe. Album covers tell stories. They give artists a face, create memories and link music to a specific place, time or mood.
This is precisely where my project comes in. It always begins with a specific place in Brittany. A coastal landscape, a street, a building, a wall, the sea or some other photographic observation becomes the starting point for a unique interpretation of the captured moment. My photographs give rise to album covers for real artists as well as for musicians and bands that exist only in my imagination. Some albums actually exist; others are entirely fictional. Names, places, dates and stories can be just as real as the photographs – or part of a made-up story.
I’m interested in what happens when a real place is linked to a real or fictional musical story. How does the impression arise that a band exists, that an album has been released, or that a photographed place is part of a musical story?
Little by little, a small archive is taking shape, comprising real places, photographs and musical traces – some fictional, some real. Reality and fiction begin to complement one another – and sometimes it is no longer clear where one ends and the other begins.
Perhaps you will recognise what really exists – and what exists only in my imagination.
“My album covers combine documentary photography of real places in Brittany with the creation of real and fictional musical identities. Taking specific photographic locations as their starting point, the project produces covers, artist biographies and musical stories whose truthfulness is deliberately left open.”
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cover
Red Cardell ‘Climatik’
Over the years, various music clips from life concerts had been created for the breton group Red Cardell. I was delighted to be asked to help design the cover and media presence for the new album "Climatik" in 2021. The pretty cows from Ploudalmézeau were the models. Thanks to Fil Bar !
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portfolio
Rosi's paintings
It all began with the innocent question, “You do have a computer, don’t you?” And then there are those requests that you simply won’t turn down – especially when they involve a vibrant and colourful encounter with Brittany. This is how I came to create a portfolio for painter Rosi Marin of her work from 2024 and 2025 – a real feast for the eyes.
Mail for you - click !
cartes postales
The Dialog with Périne
One day I found a delightful, poetic comment under one of my photos. To my surprise, it came from the pen of the writer Périne Dourel. Over time, the exchange of image and word continued into a lively dialog. Nothing could be more natural than to honour these fruits of the unusual collaboration in a set of printed postcards. Thank you Périne !
Mail for you - click !
Mail for you - click !
word and image
The Poetry of Fabienne
Fabienne Hégron is a Breton writer and poet. She has published several collections of poetry and a collection of short stories. Fabienne works in the wonderful profession of public writer and contributes to the editorial teams of various magazines. Our paths crossed rather by chance. I was moved by her poems; she was drawn to my photography. What could be more natural than to bring word and image together to form a whole? Merci beaucoup à Fabienne!
Painting and photography
What if I were to paint a picture
... based on your photo? I received this request from artists whom I admire greatly. And I was delighted to accept. The result was a series of magnificent paintings and interpretations which, in their own way, blurred the boundaries between photography and painting.
Camille Jaffredou - Pont de Recouvrance, Brest
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Martine Fenouil Le Guyader, la poignée de main, Île de Sein
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photobook
End of the World
The idea of a photobook of the North Finistère dates back to 2020 and was finalized in 2022. Atmospheric images and accompanying lyrical texts thematise the breton end of the world ... or rather, its beginning at the Mer d'Iroise.
