In the “Casinoparkje” one can see Stefaan van Biesen’s ‘Geist’, a large print on canvas in the shape of a head thinking above a small pond. The forehead is not just frowning, but also reflecting on how to influence an environment in a positive way.

‘Geist’ is a print on an industrial canvas, on which the head of the artist is partly visible. The portrayal is floating above the water surface of a little pond in a well-kept and laid-out little park. The portrayal is not so much a portrait, but more the representation of a place: the head as the locus of reflection. At the same time and paradoxically, the artist wants to enfeeble this rational cliché. The cognitive capacity of man is not solely located in the brain. In other words, what does this absolute expression mean if this reflection is not being related to other things? The work of Stefaan van Biesen shows an associative closeness between reflection, acting, the environment and welfare. Or formulated as a question: how do our thoughts manifest themselves through acts within our environment and to which extent do they contribute to our welfare?

The specific choice of materials (a canvas) and the location (above water) also give the literal aspect of ‘Geist’ a symbolic layer. Wind and water are the physical manifestations of the Eastern concept of Feng Shui. Feng Shui tackles the question of how an environment can influence happiness. Can harmony arise between natural and created forms and is it possible to adapt the environment in order to stimulate vitality? These are questions which are crucial when talking about town planning and urbanisation, but that are often completely lost given a solely rational-functionalistic approach. ‘Geist’ aims to portray this appeal by ignoring the belletristic embellishment.