Frank & Bonifay: Zoo

[Sun Wukong]

I have been a fan of Frank & Bonifay's "Zoo" graphic novel series since the very first book came out. With the final book out this November, one might think that the deal is done-yet obviously, they still have the "zoo fever" and even seem to think about creating something like a zoo on their own...

Site officiel de Frank

 

[Dan]

I took a quick glance at the web site, but I don´t speak French and therefor didn´t understand that much. Is it a duo of artists that happen to be interested in zoos? Have some of the presented sketches been used on actual projects in real zoos?

I got pretty curious, so tell us a bit more if you would like to, Sun Wukong.

 

[Sun Wukong]

Philippe Bonifay (writer) and Frank Pé (graphics) are indeed a duo of artists with a keen interest in the general subject "zoo". Their most prominent work is the already mentioned graphic novel series "Zoo", which takes place in a small zoo in Normandy in the time shortly before and during WW1. Additionally, they have collaborated with several Belgian/French zoos for some art projects. Their biggest (realistic?) project is kind of a mix between a zoo and an art studio, illustrating the connection between art and nature.
The link leads you to the hp of Frank. If you don't speak or read French, you can employ programs like babelfish for help.

In case some of the (especially Non-European) forum members might wonder why they've never heard about this series: as far as I know, all three books have only been published in French and German yet. And unlike the comics/mangas etc. you might be familiar with, this is a typical European graphic novel-which means, among others, no superheros in silly spandex costumes, no strange Japanese haircuts, a rather subtle & opaque story and, of course, nudity. Especially due to the latter, it might be a tiny, little bit difficult to obtain these books in certain countries outside of Europe. However, the art in the novels is often breathtakingly beautiful, portraying rare animals like shoebills, clouded leopards, hornbills and even a thylacine.
Enjoy strolling through the site

 

[Yero]

the books have also been translated in Dutch. They are truly marvellous
Frank based his (fictituous) zoo on architecture in Vienna, Antwerp and Berlin Zoo (among others). While the story plays at the early 2Oth century, Frank designed huge immersion exhibits à la Burger's Bush, in an Art-Nouveau architecture setting, reminiscent of the winter gardens at Antwerp, Stuttgart, Berlin... Many animals roam free in rainforest exhibits, filled with interesting animal sculptures. Other parts in the fictive zoo are inspired by Hagenbeck or Vincennes.
The main character "Buggy", a sculptour, is based on Rembrandt Bugatti, the late Belgian "animalier", who used to sculpt animals at Antwerp ZOo - in the comic books, his sculptures play a vital role. Some of the sculptures are fictive too, but others, such as the baboon, are based on true works by Bugatti. Frank himself is also a sculptour, although the admits to be just an "amateur". His work "leaping tiger" also is featured in the comic books (the clouded leopard is sometimes referred to as tiger in the books, and also is more to a tiger in size than to a true clouded leopard).
On the site mentioned above, you can see that Frank was very much involved in drawin/designing the new asian village in Parc Paradisio. He has also worked on designing the zoo maps. On the site it is mentioned that the involvement of Frank has ended. The plans for a new "artistic" zoo are also discussed on the site, a preliminary map is provided. It shows camels, lemurs, and other animals. MOre details are given on "atelier zoo", which is a tropical house with fish and reptiles. Currently, a site of 1,5 hectares is being discussed and looks promising (according to the site) but there's still a lot of administration and legislation to plow through...

Apart from the Zoo series, Frank also drew comic books on "Brosailles" ("ragebol" in dutch), one episode plays in Japan, in Osaka Aquarium. Other adventures include the Brussels Natural History Museum, and the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. On the site mentioned above you can also find reference to this series.

 

[Dan]

This is all pretty interesting and I think I will have to google this duo during the Holiday Season. I happen to be a bit suspicious about the concept of "art", but nevertheless often curious about what the "artists" are up to....

 

[Sun Wukong]

@Yero: Ah, a kindred spirit when it comes to F & B! Wasn't that bit about Bugatti & Co. once featured on Frank's hp, too? And yes, the clouded leopard (as well as the Gayal) are a bit "larger than life".

@Dan: Unlike a lot of coeval "art", the animals, persons, scenarios etc. depicted by Frank are clearly visible as such(...), and are in my opinion apparent proof of his abilitity as an artist(without any questioning "...").

 

[Rookeyper]

I was able to understand a good bit of the website and found it fascinating. I'll have to get my French friend to send me a volume or two to read. (I studied French in college and one of my best friends is French.)