ResidencyPontArte | mariafernanda

Kapoen Geest

Archive photograph

Verbouwen Woonhuis, 1903

On November 2019, I developed work in a two weeks residency at PontArte Gallery, Maastricht. Using the Gafisch Atelier as a studio, I responded site-specifically to Maastricht and to the building where the Gallery is located.

The work and experiences were presented above the gallery door and at the old, uncanny basement of the gallery.

In Maastricht, I noticed a pattern in the façade of houses. Lots of them have gevelsteen, gable stones that were used in the 16th century when many people couldn’t read, serving as a way of identifying and adorning houses.

Looking into the archive of the city, there was a photograph of the gallery building from the early 1900’s, where a Kapoen (capon) gevelsteen, stood at the front door. The street called Kapoenstraat, borrowed its name from this façade. The Kapoen nonetheless, is no longer there. Not knowing when or how it disappeared, I decided to bring back the ghost of the Kapoen to its origin.