The Desire to Publish

The publication of his first book, Le Jardin en mouvement, in 1991 marked a decisive turning point for Gilles Clément—especially since it took him nearly seven years to achieve it. Around the same time, he was also attempting to publish another manuscript, a novel titled L’enfant qui dort, which, to his great regret, would never see the light of day.

From that first publication to the present, more than fifty original works have borne his name. Several publishing houses have taken charge of releasing or translating them into different languages. Among them, however, one stands out in particular: Sens & Tonka.

Founded in 1995 by Jeanne-Marie Sens and Hubert Tonka, this publishing house immediately recognized in Gilles Clément’s philosophy and work a way of thinking that aligned perfectly with the kind of publications they wished to produce. The publication of Le Jardin en mouvement (while they were still working for Pandora Éditions) testifies to their clear commitment to this author, a support they continue to provide today.

Titles such as Traité succinct de l’art involontaire, Les Portes, and Le Blanc form a trilogy conceived in Gilles Clément’s mind, though it would not be completed until 2018. Other publications followed: Les imprévisibles (2013), L’alternative ambiante (2014), Abécédaire (2015), L’effaceur (2020), Nuages (2021), as well as reissues by other publishers.

With this editorial approach, Sens & Tonka aims for “his thinking to remain accessible at its root, not only through commentary in reviews or the press.”

Draft for his book L’enfant qui dort. Manuscript text on paper. 1989.