Chloé Quenum - La Folie de l'île Seguin
Commissioned by SPL Val de Seine Aménagement, Chloé Quenum’s artwork immortalizes the “Voyage en Industries” sound experience.
The first permanent installation by Voyage en Industries, La Folie de l’île Seguin by Chloé Afiavi Quenum is part of this auditory and memorial journey exploring the industrial, social, and architectural layers of Île Seguin in Rives-de-Seine. It invites viewers to take a fresh look at this changing area.
The roof is an assemblage of parts from Renault car models produced before the factory’s closure, evoking a mechanical lacework that casts patterns of light and shadow on the ground. Beneath it, a space for rest, shelter, and gathering awaits visitors. Following discussions with former employees, the structure is illuminated 14 times a year to mark significant dates in the site’s history and the daily lives of its workers. The title of this creation, La Folie de l’île Seguin, refers to the concept of architectural folly, associated with small pleasure structures that were highly prized in the 18th century. The work draws on the industrial practice of “working in one’s own interest,” defined by the use of work materials for personal purposes.
Conceived as a gathering place, this work—which is both contemporary and commemorative—combines industrial materials and personal testimonies in a piece that pays tribute to those who worked on this site.
Manifesto supported the SPL at every stage of the project, from the design and strategic positioning of the sound and memorial trail to overseeing the production and on-site installation of Chloé Quenum’s work.