Lineaments II
Staphorst, Blackstockings & Strict Rules
For the theatre festival kunsten op strait 2011 and the accompanying newspaper project Melk & Bloed with the same-titled exhibition artists from Germany, Great Britain and the Netherlands were invited to graphically deal with the Staphorst traditional garb of the 18th and 19th century.
400.000 orthodox Calvinists are living in the Dutch bible belt which ranges from Zeeland in the South West to the Ijsselmeer in the North and represent about 2% of the overall population. The members of the „Zwarte Kousen-Kerk“ are called according to the dark trousers of their women „Blackstocking Church“. The orthodox Christians see listening to the radio or watching TV as harmful, and on Sundays it is neither allowed to mow the lawn nor to wash the car. Party posts for women are taboo, gambling and crematories as well. Visitors are asked not to take pictures.
Extremes of otherness, isolation and alleged freedom, a life in a society with strict rules and norms. Values and norms form rites and behaviour patterns. They regulate and shape living in the Staphorst community.
Layers of clothing in strict order and cloth with distinct pattern repeats, swatches and structures shape the outer appearance of the individual. Where does individuality begin, autonomy and flexibility? Where are ruptures and flaws in weaving?
With a crayon, I am drawing lines and grids in strict order on black paper and my series of drawings lineaments II is constantly expanding.
Crayon on paper, each 50 x 35 cm, 2011