The dutch writer Frank Bokern has written a fantastic book about the Stokstraatkwartier, a small neighborhood in the center of Maastricht and, without a doubt, the most peculiar victim of the industrial revolution. At first, around 1840, the neighborhood belonged to the upper class, but soon became a melting pot for the workers, beggars and prostitutes, Crapuul as they say in Maastricht. The palaces turned into ruins that continued to be inhabited by the less fortunate. It took Maastricht over a 100 years to finally intervene, its approach however being draconian.

The inhabitants were being forced to move to ‘residential schools’, meant to turn them into ‘decent’ citizens. Today this still causes a stigma around the former residents and this book has greatly helped rehabilitating them by telling their story through extensive interviews with them.

Transport Artspace, situated at the Landbouwbelang, organizes an exhibition around the theme Crapuul and curator Corina Karstenberg came up with the brilliant idea to have me photograph the interviewees using wet plate collodion, since the process dates from the start of this book. The results will be shown during the weekend of the Museumnacht Maastricht. There will be a sequel in June with the writer of the book, Frank Bokern himself, being present. Former residents will share their experiences in person and have an interaction with the public. I am honored to be a part of this and share this incredibly fascinating part of Maastrichter history.

Opening hours:
Friday, April 14 | 19.00 - 01.00h
Saturday & Sunday, April 15+16 | 13.00 - 19.00h
Saturday & Sunday, April 22+23 | 13.00 - 19.00h
Saturday & Sunday, April 29+30 | 13.00 - 19.00h

This exhibition has been made possible by: