CAROLINE GUEYE
FACTORY #7
SPECTROSCOPIE
In the framework of the Africa 2020, the Cité de l’espace is hosting in residence the Franco-Togolese astrophysicist and plastic artist Caroline Gueye on the theme of space and the future, echoing the landing of Perseverance on Mars on 18 February 2021. For this “1+2 factory #7”, the restitution of her work is the subject of a protean installation inaugurated on 26 June 2021 at the Cité de l’espace.
THE SAISON AFRICA 2020
With more than 200 events organised throughout mainland France and in the overseas territories, the Saison 2021 ran from December 2020 until July 2021. Designed to be a learning platform and participatory knowledge production, the Saison Africa 2020 focused on science, innovation and technology. The Focus Sciences, in partnership with networks and professional organisations from Africa, deployed in Toulouse with Africa sciences, an art and science hub supported by Toulouse Métropole, Africlap, the Cité de l’espace, the Résidence 1+2, the Toulouse Museum, the Quai des Savoirs, Chercheurs d’Autres, the Urban Vitry professional high school and the Parisian publishing house Présence Africaine.
Caroline Gueye is a French Togolese-Senegalese plastic artist. She was born and grew up in Senegal, and then, she continued her studies in France, in the United States and in China. She was graduated in atmospheric physics, radiation protection and nuclear safety from Claude Bernard University, in astrophysics from Tulane University and in Chinese from Shanxi University. Caroline grew up in an artistic environment, perhaps she was influence by her grandfather, known as the African Picasso and the author of the Togo flag. Their long discussions and the drawings they made together on the walls
of her rooms when as children, undoubtedly leaded her in art. Two passions motivate her, creation and physics, which she merged to the point of taking a doctorate in art and science at the University of Lyon. Today, she lives and works between France and Senegal.
Theorical physics, physical theories and research topics are at the core of plastic artist Caroline Gueye’s creative process. She especially applies quantum mechanics, string theory, theories of everything and astrophysics to materialize these themes, which is the center of her artistic process. Her artworks start a conversation with the spectator about how theorical physics unconsciously influence his daily life. The artist forms and shapes the recyclable plastic in order to create transparent installations and sculptures. The optical reflection of light from mirrors is an important element in his artistic approach. She has created large-scale installations where the spectator – who is at the core of the works – experiences the offered concept by being at the very heart of the works.