Madame Chapeau in Brussels, Belgium

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Tom Frantzen has been approached numerous times by district committees and cultural groups to create sculptures reflecting Brussels' rich cultural heritage. It's no surprise, considering Tom Frantzen was born and raised in Brussels, where he deeply appreciates the unique "zwanze", a form of humor characterized by absurdity and surrealism stemming from the city's diverse linguistic mix. As this type of humor is rapidly becoming extinct, the artist aims to preserve it for future generations, confronting them with its essence. To ensure the "zwanze" remains deeply rooted in Brussels' collective memory, Tom Frantzen wanted his works to be permanently sealed into the city's pavement, incorporating existing elements like manhole covers and lampposts as integral components. This dynamic sculpture embodies a captivating presence within its allocated space, making it a treasured part of Belgium's (and especially Brussels') cultural heritage. The monument seamlessly connects "the people who pass by" on two interactive levels: the realm of reality and the domain of imagination. Upon closer inspection, one notices Tom Frantzen's "zwanze" once again: a fearless woman is counting her money in an area notorious for pickpockets, teasing them with her unstealable bronze wallet. Madame Chapeau is one of the vibrant characters from "Bossemans et Copenolle", a 1938 comedy by Paul van Stalle and Joris d'Hanswijck, which celebrates old Brussels' charming petit bourgeois. This play is an integral part of Belgium's cultural legacy.