In Sight Story
 |
| Standing before greatness: the grand art of master LeRoy Charke |
WE ARE the sacred and the profane.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the two biggest festivals, celebrated by people from all walks of life, of many different religions and of "every creed and race," are one seen as holy and one seen as anything but: Christmas and Carnival.
I don't use the word profane in a remonstrating way, though. It's not like saying good and evil; but day and night, sky and earth, warm and cool.
There are many who call Carnival vulgar; but depending on the religious person you are listening to you will hear Christmas described as the same. And even when you hear tell of the prurience of Carnival, when you look at some of what is called that, you realise, "Oh. It's just dancing."
If you link to The Jhaye-Q Brew Archive, you may deem that I myself am as those who absolutely denounce all things Mas'. I'm not like that.
I have a love/hate relationship with Carnival, true. But you can only have a love/hate relationship with something when you truly love it. Otherwise it would just be hate.
I appreciate the art in the Mas': the costumes, the music, the pageantry, the showmanship, the word, song and power.
The art inside outside
It may seem an odd choice to go inside a calm, quiet, steady space to begin the highlighting of a loud, wild, transitory outdoor festival. However, if there is truth to the adage, "Further out is in," then the reverse must also hold water: "Further in is out."
By entering deeper into the art of Carnival via art on Carnival; by appreciating it softly through the eyes of those who love it so much they had to create something wonderful and tangible to honour it, we will be helped to walk through the outer, exposed, naked layers of High Mas' with eyes altered and wider open to appreciate all of what it is made.
Or I could be full of sh**.
Regardless, walk with me (or chip or wave or wine like true Trinis do whenever we get a chance, but especially for this amazing festival) through the season's exhibit at the National Museum of Trinidad and Tobago now; and then beyond to the streets of sweet TnT for Carnival 2019 (and even some of 2018).
Shine on
For free to download Carnival, etc., photos, link to: Jhaye-Q TrinbagoCarnival is Storytelling
Section One: Inside the Outside
 |
| Inviting, is it not? A mélange of modern and more classical media, brought together to pay homage to Mas', at the National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago. As you're reading this, it may still be installed. So if you are in TnT, make a turn and take in the splendour. |
 |
| I love that one of the first pieces you see is this little Pan Man, clearly lovingly crafted by an artist who may forever remain unknown. I hope he does not get lost among all the large, colourful fare. I hope that others truly see him, too, and wish that his creator could have been given the kudos he deserves to his face. |
 |
| From sweet to incendiary. The Midnight Robber breathes metaphoric fire with his words. The way the Blue Devils do it leaves you speechless. James Solomon: Blue on Blue -- Devil's Breath |
 |
| I am she of the unadorned face, but I, too, have longed for the liberating power of donning the paint, the powder, the mask; thereby, ironically, to go naked in the world. Look deeply, though. Are we any different, where it counts? Nyla Singh: Pagwa Face |
 |
| Amerindian Illumination by Natasha Amber-Shaw, was prophetic, as it turned out. The Carnival Band of the Year 2019 winner was entitled, Stained Glass, and it seems to have danced out of the same creative inspiration circle from which this mesmerisinig central piece sprouted. |
 |
| You cannot help but be drawn in for a closer look. Maybe, like I did, you walk around and around, seeking a vantage that would let you see all the "figures" at once. But it seemed at least one always disappeared. Such shifting forms. Natasha Ambere-Shaw: Amerindian Illumination |
 |
| I wondered if the artist of this mock-diptych is as much a fan of Wendy Pini's Elf Quest artwork as am I. Ann Judy Joseph-Mungal: Carnival Vibes |
 |
| "Watch yuhself with me on the road!" this menacing Blue Devil, a mainstay of Monday Night mas', seems to say. Mariela Bruzual: Eye See You |
 |
| At the entrance you were welcomed by Rhythm & Harmony. You are sent on your way in the loving same way. Art by Natasha Amber-Shaw, a visual ode to our Carnival's Panorama Steelband music festival. |
