Koen Kievits

‘Sur le Loir’

My grandpa once bought a farmhouse on a piece of land in France. Just outside a small village called ‘La Chartre sur le Loir’, this area lies secluded on top of a hill, looking out over the valley and other farms below. The farmhouse itself is old and throughout the years has been renovated and improved upon, while keeping its authentic character alive.

Coming there every year during the holidays as a child, I have fond and magical memories of the place. We had our own piece of forest to explore and play in, the night skies to behold and fires in which to stare and get lost. Yet, how familiar and safe this all felt, the place itself has always had a mysterious and elusive atmosphere to it. 

In front of the house, to be seen straight from the living room, stands a dolmen. Every year my recollection of it seemed to have changed. It consists of seven carrying stones and one table stone. It is a world on itself, plants and mosses are covering the rocks, which hold a thousand different colours. Little ponds, ravines and ridges make for a miniature landscape which I also vividly explored during my stays in France. Throughout the years I have been feeling a stronger connection to the structure, it is truly alive. To me this stone is a true embodiment of eternity, maybe that’s why this place feels so timeless, maybe that’s why I can feel at home in such a place that doesn’t feel like our world.

Related: ‘Concealment’ / ‘Megalithic studies’

‘Maupertuis’

This film takes place at the piece of land in France. It shows mostly long static shots, focussing on particular places in the landscape and the elements that are present. The theme of fire is also weaved through the film. Using slow dissolves, some shots create puzzling images, blending multiple places together.

‘Maupertuis’ - 2020

Full HD Video. Stereo sound. Duration: 00:20:24

The video can be found here, contact me for the password

‘Maupertuis premiere’

An online première took place on May 30th 2020, showcasing a new video work I created. People would get postcards with invitations and a password to attend the première. Various cyanotype designs were printed, every invitation was unique.

During that same month I exhibited works related to the video at Galerie de Vijf Ramen in Arnhem.

This project was kindly funded by Stroomversneller.

‘Sur le Loir’

This small zine is part of my research regarding the place near the dolmen and the effect it has had on my artistic practice.

The series is a view on the landscape and the area in which I partially grew up. Most photographs are taken with expired film which belonged to my grandpa.

‘Maupertuis’

This ceramic miniature model of the dolmen is sometimes placed at exhibitions together with other works.

‘Cycle’

This double exposed image was taken in France. It shows the dark outline of the dolmen, behind which a fiery sunset seems to light up the died out fire in the foreground, its cinders still smouldering.