Senegal

Gold (wurus in Wolof) comes to us from the earth, or rather from the sky. It comes mainly from neutron stars and meteorite impacts. Gold has survived centuries, civilisations and continents, and remains universal. It is also a high-tech material.

In Senegal, gold mining was at its peak in the 14th century during the Mali Empire. The ruler Kankan Musa (1307/1312-1335?) symbolises the golden age of this empire. And thanks to gold he is known to this day as the richest man in history.

This yellow metal is at the centre of our aesthetic reflections because few materials have shaped the destiny of humanity as much, even if its exploitation is often detrimental to the environment and human rights. Gold appeals to us as the ultimate symbol of wealth and therefore power. It also appeals to us as an extension of everything else that is worth its weight in gold: oil, rare earths... The hidden reasons behind imperialism. The happiness and depression of the world.

Kankan Musa was a visionary. Thanks to this gold, he brought in scholars and scientists and built universities and libraries to elevate human culture and knowledge. We hope that the memory of this prosperous past can still inspire us today.

What the Earth gives us... and what we must do with it...