Documentary on Capricorne
De Wonderboom. Kunst van Capricorne. Showing at Gallery Alma Blou on April 13, 2013 at 7.15 PM.
The world premiere of the documentary on José Maria Capricorne took place during the Curaçao International Film Festival Rotterdam on April 7, 2013 at The Cinemas in Curaçao. Both producers Tanja Fraai and Mike Ho-Sam-Sooi were present at the event.
José Maria Capricorne (Curaçao, 1932) is a renowned visual artist of Curaçao and one of the first local artist with a formal artistic training. He attended the Amsterdamse Grafische School in Amsterdam from1955 till 1958. His art is well known for the, at first sight, light and joyful colors, often merry scenes with happily smiling figures and his use of personal symbols like fish, butterflies, the dog and the eye.
Between 1983 and1988 he was the director of the local Fine Arts Academy, Akademia di Arte.
Capricorne, who now lives in The Netherlands, was not present at the premiere of the documentary at the film festival. Prior to the presentation when asked if he was planning to attend, he modestly responded that although he would very much like to be present, he felt it was better not to as the movie is about himself. But he hoped that it would stimulate the cultural and artistic awareness on the island. In his view the economical and social importance of art is not sufficiently recognized in Curaçao.
Although the title suggest otherwise, the documentary is less about his art and more about Capricorne himself, important moments in his life and his view on society, culture and education. It is an account of Tanja Fraai’s personal search to find out more about the person José Maria Capricorne.
A nice part of the movie is when the fable ‘E Palu Enkantá’ (The Enchanted Tree), to which the title of the documentary refers, is performed by young pupils of the school Kolegio Erasmo. It is a tale written by Capricorne and for him the tree is a symbol for the community. The Miracle tree spreads his seeds everywhere sowing trees, bushes and all the other different plants. The tree, tree of life, is an important metaphor in his oeuvre.
In addition to a few of his artworks in private collections, Capricorne’s art in public spaces in Curaçao is also briefly commented upon in the documentary. For instance his wall sculpting at the University (1986/87) is shown, the relief on the wall of the public library at Scharloo (1982) and the concrete sculptures at the school at Barber Skol Alablanka (1977).
The second showing of the documentary will take place at Gallery Alma Blou this saturday, April 13th, 2013 at 19.15 hrs. De Wonderboom is also available on DVD with English/Papiamento subtitles.
Documentary ‘De Wonderboom’ and Exhibit by José Maria Capricorne at Gallery Alma Blou in Landhuis Habaai.
Saturday, April 13, 2013. Exhibit lasts for two weeks.
Exhibit opens at 5:30 PM,
Documentary shows at 7:15 PM,
Free admission.
DVD ‘De Wonderboom. Kunst van Capricorne’.
Language: Dutch.
Subtitles: English and Papiamento.