Catherine Lejeune

Statement

Catherine Lejeune (she/they/them) is an artist-researcher born in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang/Montréal (Canada). Inspired by their studies in psychology and the art movements of the 70’s, their practice in media arts and installation aims to develop a transversal dialogue between technology, politics and consciousness. While obtaining a master’s degree, they pursue several residencies in Canada and Europe and share their work in conferences, scientific articles and galleries.

GlogauAIR Project

As capitalism mutates into neoliberalism, biopowers are replaced by psychopowers. Instead of controlling-watching the bodies of the proletariat, the institutions now attack the consciousness which provides the majority of economic production. In this competitive context where humans are isolated, hyper-responsibilized and overworked, depression and anxiety become endemic disorders.

Shine bright questions the roles and powers of research-creation. Does art hold the potential to counter the lack of sensations caused by the techno-political context which has been exacerbated since the pandemic? As an artist-researcher, is it realist to think that I have an impact in my communities or that I can help improve the world? These research questions will be tested by registering transversely in the artistic and scientific fields while exploring with reflective materials, medical devices and performative protocols with the utopian intent of thwarting the negative effects of psychopowers. More exactly, by inducing experiences of over-stimulation, I am interested in the possibility of generating states of euphoria close to those experienced during raves or transcendental meditations. This performative, photographic and videographic installation project updates the aesthetics and the questions behind the cybernetic and beatnik practices that invest the political relations between consciousness and the spiritual potential of technology.

CV Summary

Formation

• 2023 : Master’s degree in visual and media arts, UQAM
• 2019 : Bachelor’s degree in visual and media arts, UQAM
• 2011 : Certificate in psychology, UQAM

Solo exhibitions

• 2021 : 2hot2handle, in duo with Marie Atcheba, 425 Viger O., Montréal
• 2014 : Pointe de laine, Maison de la culture de Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montréal

Group exhibitions

• 2021 : Créer des ponts, Ateliers du Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal
• 2021 : Festival ETC, Projet Casa, Montréal
• 2020 : lanuitnoire, CDEX, Montréal
• 2017 : Célébration, Galerie Beaux-arts des Amériques, Montréal
• 2016 : Les micro-féminismes, La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse, Montréal

Residencies

• 2022 : shine bright, GlogauAIR online residency
• 2022 : devenir-lumière, with Hexagram network in arts, cultures and technology
• 2021 : please don’t stop the music, Art Souterrain’s residency for emerging artists
• 2021 : you remind me of a feeling, online residency for ETC Festival

Gallery