Global Carnival Centre
Carnival News
Wire-Bending - A Dying Art?
May 22, 2011
Claude Swami Jeffers was literally bearing a cross when he came into the Express recently.
His elaborate wire structure “Wire Bending Dying” was not only visually compelling, but spoke in volumes of a practice that could be lost in time.
As the president of Swami Design Workshop, Jeffers has been making costumes and doing wire-bending for the past 20 years.
He recalled: “I grew up in a mas camp and panyard, so to speak; St James Tripoli. Then I migrated and was part of the Labour Day Parade [in New York] for many years. I came back to promote wire bending because it is a dying art.”
Jeffers, creator of the first costume museum in Brooklyn, said this unique, cultural art form should be preserved, developed and promoted.
It is the foundation for creating big mas costumes and should be taught in schools and costume design centres. We want a wire-bending centre in Belmont as a pilot project for the artistic and creative youths in the area. We need a wire-bending competition to promote this (it).”
He said he has spoken to several Government ministers about getting a project off and running but so far nothing has been done.
“This project I envision is about creating wire-benders and costume designers for the future of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival culture. I have sent my proposal to the Ministry (of Arts and Multiculturalism] who in turn sent it to NCC, who in turn sent it to the NCBA and [nothing happened).”
Jeffers hopes that a large corporate entity could assist him in giving back to the culture of this country.
“If government is slow in acting, I believe a company could take up the cause.”
He believes he is the best wire-bender in the land and is hoping to encourage youngsters to take up the craft.
Of his piece, “Wire Bending Dying”, he explained that the pregnant woman on the cross symbolises that even though wire-bending is a dying art form, there is the possibility of rebirth.
“It does not have any religious ties to it,” he stressed.
Jeffers is no stranger to the foreign press and has been photographed with several dignitaries including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
“I believe that the time has come for us to have a centre where artistic youths could come and learn crafts. There are people right now who can make mas for the next few years, but I am thinking 20 years from now.”
(c) Trinidad Express Newspapers
Global Carnival Centre In NE Brazil
This year GCC was in NE Brazil state of Pernambuco and captured this natural and historic carnival on camera which we will be featuring next month. You can also upload or watch carnivals around the world from GCC Carnival TV by clicking this link.
Artistic Director Moves Artistically On
Following 4 years serving St Pauls Carnival as Consultant Artistic Director and 15 years indirect support as funder (Arts Council) and sponsor (Western Union), Pax Nindi will not be involved with St Pauls Carnival 2011.
Having assisted its development artistically and financially, Pax believes the template is now there for anyone to continue delivering and maintaining the high quality he developed the last four years.Pax is focussing on international projects and touring his new album released last month at Recife Reggae Festival he commented " Im still active in Bristol, like the performance I did recently in Colston Hall supporting issues relating to poverty and am still a presenter on local Ujima Radio. As an artist I now have time to promote and tour my new album.”
Pax feels positive about Carnival, its management and staff “I am happy that I was instrumental in changing St Pauls Carnival history books of which stakeholders, artists and members of the community respect and appreciate. I trust the management will also acknowledge my efforts, time and money invested in that Carnival. All in all I will always be there if they need my expert advise and will probably end up in a mental hospital if what we have built the last four years is down graded, considering the trust built with all the stakeholders as in the City Council, Arts Council England, BBC, the police, schools and the community.”In revamping St Pauls Carnival Pax introduced various new initiatives including; paying appearance fees to Sound Systems and giving them generators, setting Mas Camps and Carnival master classes for local people to learn and create costumes, negotiate the giant screens from the BBC and VIP space in the Pierian Centre, create a Carnival Village in Portland Square so music and carnival have their own space all day including separate space for spoken word.
As a recording artist and producer, Pax Nindi is better known as Harare Dread. His new release Povo is his 15th album release since 1985 when he came to England where he got established as the Master of African Roots Reggae music http://www.hararedread.net and also the World’s First Ever Dub VJ for his use of cultural visuals in his performances and Dub sessions for legends such as Jah Shaka http://www.dubvision.netPlease Note:
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Global Carnival Centre Needs More Global Representatives
Global Carnival now has regional Carnival reps around the globe to keep this site global. We are still looking for more global contributors to strengthen our team so please contact us especially if you are a photographer, journalist, designer, film maker, historian or a supporter of carnivals who has material covering other carnivals.
GCC gives you the opportunity to increase your profile through this site which is gaining a reputation for giving out latest information on carnival arts globally.. Click here for contact us link.
If you have covered your event/carnival yourself and want to share your success, we are happy to hear from you too.
Training Opportunity In Wales
This year South Wales Intercultural Community Arts are offering Carnival arts training covering head pieces and giant puppets from Tuesday 19th July – Thursday 4th August 2011 (10.00am – 8.00pm) If you are interested or need more information, contact them on
Email : sf@swica.force9.co.uk
Tel : 02920 382094
