Maroc - NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 16/Jul 04:45

Paparazzi’s Canvas: Rhythm and Art honours Trinidad and Tobago’s artists

Paparazzi’s 2025 Carnival presentation will honour the works of Trinidad and Tobago’s artists like Che Lovelace and Carlisle Chang. The band revealed its 2025 presentation Canvas: Rhythm and Art on July 13 at Mille Fleurs, Maraval Road, Port of Spain. Paparazzi plans to also incorporate interactive exhibits showing the artists’ journeys at upcoming Friday shows. [caption id="attachment_1096505" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Motif designed by Alejandro Gomez is presented during the Paparazzi Carnival 2025 bandlaunch of its Canvas: Rhythm and Arts on July 13 at Mille Fleurs, Port of Spain. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] In a media release the large band said it wanted to showcase the rich contributions of local artists who significantly influenced the country’s cultural landscape over the years. “The concept behind Canvas emerged from a deep-seated desire to pay homage to the diverse and impactful works of Trinidadian artists, including luminaries such as Che Lovelace, Shalini Seereeram, Nicole Tang, (the late) Boscoe Holder, (the late) Carlisle Chang and Tessa Alexander, (who) have not only shaped the visual arts scene but also left an indelible mark on the spirit of Trinidadian creativity,” the release said. Belle, Credence, Motif, Luminescence, Soulscape, Mamzelle, Fleur, Rumba and Sitar form the 2025 presentation. The band is largely an array of colourful plumage with its Rumba section being largely white with colourful streaks as if a white canvas was dabbed with colour. [caption id="attachment_1096511" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mamzelle designed by Alejandro Gomez. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] Asked how, specifically, the work of each artist is reflected in the nine sections, a member of the band’s operations team Jase Calderon said, “Each costume features nine different artists and nine pieces of art from their collections.” For example, Nicole Tang’s Metamorphosis was the inspiration behind Paparazzi’s Motif section. None of the artists designed any of the sections. The designs were inspired by the colour, look, feel texture of the respective art pieces of each artist. [caption id="attachment_1096515" align="alignnone" width="683"] Sitar designed by Fareid Carvalho. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] Calderon said Paparazzi always tries to do something that is local, which resonates with judges, and is inspired by local culture. While the artists weren’t immediately consulted they were contacted later on for feedback. “They came in and did interviews and we got their reactions to the costumes and the interpretation,” Calderon said. This content along with performances by spoken word poets, performative artists etc, will be on display on the last Friday of each month leading up to Carnival, at the band’s Roberts Street, Woodbrook, showroom. [caption id="attachment_1096518" align="alignnone" width="683"] Soulscape designed by Atiba Borde - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] The showroom – being called the Art Gallery for this presentation – opens on July 19. Costume registration is also scheduled to begin on that day too. Calderon said, “The last Friday of every month is going to feature different types of art and how it is expressed through people.” He said Paparazzi's masqueraders were eager to register and are ready for Carnival 2025. “They hype us up, they keep us going and this presentation is really something for them to learn. We always try to have something educational and immersive.” [caption id="attachment_1096524" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credence designed by Alejandro Gomez. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] The band celebrates its 11th anniversary next year and is composed of people from all over the Caribbean as well as foreigners who visit to share the Carnival experience with Trinidadians. Over the years, Paparazzi's presentations have earned third place in the Band of the Year competitions in 2018 and 2019 and, in 2014, it placed second in the same competition. Giving some more of what the work of the artists mean to the band, the release said Lovelace – renowned for his striking and introspective paintings reflecting the essence of Trinidadian life and culture – served as the cornerstone for the theme. [caption id="attachment_1096532" align="alignnone" width="819"] Belle designed by Alejandro Gomez. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] It added that Seereeram’s mixed-media work exploring themes of identity and heritage added a contemporary flair to the presentation. “Nicole Tang’s intricate and emotive sculptures and Boscoe Holder’s iconic dance-inspired paintings further enrich the canvas of Trinidadian artistry. [caption id="attachment_1096539" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rumba designed by Atiba Borde. - Photo by Daniel Prentice[/caption] “Carlisle Chang’s seminal role in modernising Trinidadian aesthetics and Tessa Alexander’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage through visual storytelling all play integral roles in shaping our theme’s narrative,” the release said. It added the theme was not just a celebration but a testament to the enduring legacy of Trinidadian art.   The post Paparazzi’s Canvas: Rhythm and Art honours Trinidad and Tobago’s artists appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.