Arles 2012: Scarlett Coten, la recalée

An eternal ENP degree failure? The story of a dunce Flash back Early 2012, I received an email addressed to former ENP students: “What have you done in photography?” asks the school 30 years after I entered its hallways. Wow… I could write a book, 30 years of my life… The school is celebrating us, I thought, how cool ! The year began well: two exhibitions at PhotoMed in the spring, another in the fall for the Mois de la Photo, perhaps Arles, and now, the cherry on top! I was happy, working on the project, believing! Spring, second email: “The selection was difficult, and our first decision was to accept only students with degrees.” Mea culpa, I had forgotten that episode, flunking out in 85. It’s coming back to haunt me! I picked up my phone to give them a piece of mind, but no one answered and I left the following day for Morocco, making no further phone calls. Return, third email: “For students having published books we will be holding signings during the Rencontres”. Super! My work was featured in an Actes Sud monograph: Still Alive in November 2009, I am thrilled about the idea… “Perfect, you are expected at the signing on Wednesday, July 4, at 6pm.” Non-graduates aren’t excluded, what a relief. Fourth email: “You are invited to collect your badge as of Monday, July 2, which will provide you with free access to all exhibitions by former students”. Great! Monday morning, I head to the school, the weather is good, friends are arriving, pure joy. “Hi, I’ve come to get my pass, my name is Scarlett Coten.” “Coten with a K?” “No, is there a problem?” “Well, I don’t see your name. You are not on the list.” “Oh, I didn’t graduate, could that have something to do with it?” “Oh yes, non graduates are not on the list, sorry!” Again! They are still flunking me!! I hope they will stop sending emails that aren’t for me! In the end, I am the one, punished, like in 85, when they held back my diploma after three years of studies, giving me rashes all over!!! Do they want me to strangle myself? I got a grip on myself in front of a café, left out of the celebration, like I don’t exist! The good news is I have lots of time ahead of me… Scarlett Coten Book signing « Still alive »- Scarlett Coten Wednesday 4th at 6pm rue Fanton 13200 Arles France