Important

It is today that Trinidadians will be wearing black and driving with headlights on in silent protest of six year old Sean Luke's brutal death. Cynics will scoff, but the wearing of black is a move of national solidarity (very much needed). Whether politicians see or not is not the issue. They don't 'see' anyway. E-mails and text messages announcing this were being sent up to late last night ... much to my confusion since I, getting my days mixed up, had on black all day yesterday.
*
My sister just called me (mother of my six-year-old nephew) and we were talking about this. At one point, she said something about the young boys who did it ... and I just started to cry ... not so much because of the crime (horrible as it was), but at the thought of the entire nation coming together ... for something. It has to happen and it will. This is the beginning. History of magnanimous proportions will have to be made in Trinidad and Tobago this year and the people will do it.
*
This morning after meditating I noticed that the birds were extra loud. It was still dark outside (somewhere just after five) and so many of them were ... not singing or warbling, but more like twittering in an urgent way. I knew it was something important because of how it struck me. Their calls really sounded different. I went outside and sat on the ground for a while, closed my eyes and listened. There were points where I felt as if they were announcing to all of us (Trinidad): "Get busy!"

They know what they are saying. How silly of us to only focus on French and Spanish in school and never think of learning the language of Nature which speaks so deeply all around us. Consider how much are we missing out on knowing.
*

Elspeth

Greetings and Gratitude

Greeting: As sala'amu alaikum (Peace be upon you)

Response: Walaikum as sala'am (And unto you, also peace)
*
I would like to give a hail out to the Muslim television station, IBN, Channel 8. I knew about them before and had tuned into their station once or twice when they had first started up (about 5 months ago) to see what it was about. On the day of the anti-smelter march in South, when different religious leaders and corporate and community representatives spoke to the crowd, I was quite heartened to hear the IBN manager, Mr. Ishmael pledge to give at least one hour of programming to anti-smelter issues on their station. This made me go to him and ask him if I could bring him some material. He said "Yes, of course. Bring it tomorrow."

So on Monday I took the two videos to them: The A - Z of Aluminium Smelters and Please Stand (which I have not featured here yet). Their studio is small and has a peaceful air to it. Clearly it is effective, as they say they have the largest local viewership. I found them to be very welcoming and open to the pieces I brought to them. After copying the DVD, the producer said "We will make sure to play these."

I was pleasantly surprised when they called me early last night to tell me that they would be showing Please Stand to open their popular programme, Breaking Barriers at 8:30 p.m. They also said that from now on they will be showing Please Stand at least ten times a day. Wow. How great of them. According to Mr. Ishmael, they keep their promises.

It goes to show that certain opportunities come in packages you don't expect.

One of the IBN crew at the march, wearing their t-shirt saying: Breaking Barriers. Who's Next?

*

P.S. I have since written a second post for today. You will find it here.

*

Elspeth

Rest in Peace

This is my second post for the day. The first is here. I'm sure by now most, if not all of you must know of the little six year old boy, Sean Luke, who was brutally, unthinkably and fatally sodomized with a length of cane stalk that totally disrupted his insides.

Two teens (barely children themselves) have been held in connection with the crime. The Letters page in today's Express features a flurry of outraged, confused, grieving, angry and sympathetic letters from both the local and international public. I'm sure there were more ... but perhaps not enough space to publish them. The letter that struck me most was from a woman who said she is now afraid to let her small son play outdoors. She asks: "Must I raise him in a prison of my own?" She ends by saying that she will only have one child in this lifetime, since she cannot see a reason for wanting to bring another one into the world we are currently living in.

An e-mail, signed Concerned Father, was circulated yesterday, requesting that people wear black and drive with their lights on today - in memory of Sean and also to protest Gov't's inability to effectively deal with the crime situation. My question is: Do Gov't people ever receive these kinds of e-mails? Will they even know what "lights on today" is standing for?

The sad thing is, Trinidadians can be copycats when they are ready. When the first major sensational kidnapping happened some years ago, there were several that occurred afterwards. Everyone went around saying "Dey could copycat, yes!" How many years later ... and kidnappings are still 'in vogue'. Now with the second little boy being buggered for the year ... will this also become a copycat series? Monkey see, monkey do? The same way some people blatantly copy creative ideas (instead of being original - i.e. plagiarism), there must be people who copy destructive ideas. They see someone do something and they say "Ey, boy! Ah didn' tink of dat one nah! da's a good one!"

I remember once when I was doing a graphics course (about 2 years ago), we were talking about Trinidad and crime ... and the teacher, Freedom, was telling us that he personally knows criminals who boast about getting on the front page of the papers. They feel like celebrities when they see their crime featured (sensationalised) in the media. Ironically, Freedom is no longer alive (but, he is 'free'). A few months ago, he was in the 'wrong place at the wrong time' (i.e. buying lunch downtown like any regular citizen) and was fatally shot.

The long and short of it is, people from all walks of life are saying that T & T is under a very dark cloud ... and the Sean Luke killing has spurred this notion further into the minds of the populace. many things are stirring the populace to stand up. And what will come of our standing? Something must. There must be a turning point somewhere.

On behalf of Now is Wow, sympathies to the little boy's family and to those who knew him. May God give you strength and solace.

*

Elspeth

Extra, extra

Read all about it: the new initiative known as the pancollective. This is the brainchild of chookooloonks, otherwise known as Karen Walrond. About two weeks ago I got an e-mail from her inviting me to be one of the women in the collective ... but due to my computer being away, I didn't get around to writing anything for the collective's blog until about two nights ago. For more on what the pancollective actually is and who the current members are, go here. A small gathering of women from different Caribbean islands writing at least 3 times a week on their/our different (positive/solution-based) experiences of living in this region.

It's an approximately 2-3-week old venture which will evolve over time (as all things do). In a way this is making me try and figure out within myself what 'living in the Caribbean' actually means (to me), since I've never really associated myself with 'belonging' to a particular geographical place ... at least not consciously. So it will be interesting to explore that aspect and to begin to define what it means (to me) to have the Caribbean as 'home'. Hmmm. I think many people who were born here claim it is 'in their blood' and 'in their bones' (Trini to de bone, etc.) I don't know that I feel that. But maybe I do ... in a different way? I don't know ...

Anyway, the first thing I wrote about at the pancollective was Tairico/Tyrico Bay (simply because I'd been there the day before with my old friend Patti) on a spontaneous jaunt and was reminded of what a humble and magical little beach it is.

This interesting stone I found on Tyrico reminded me of a hand with its index finger firmly pointing in a very definite direction. When I found it (or when it found me) it was pointing up at me from the sand and saying "Pick me up." I decided to keep it, seeing it as (i) a symbol of my own direction in life becoming more defined and (ii) confirmation that a Divine hand will always guide me along the right path.

*

Elspeth

(video) The A - Z of Aluminium Smelters

The art of sensitisation. Using art to create awareness.

The following video, the A - Z of Aluminium Smelters, was created to raise awareness of the issues and hazards associated with the industry of aluminium smelters. We continue to make our stand against the two aluminium smelters proposed for South Trinidad.

*

Click here to see the video
*
Video & Voice: Elspeth Duncan
Featuring Patti-Anne Ali as "Trinidad"
*
File type: wmv
Length: 2:30 minutes
File size: 4.99MB
(Be patient. May take a while to download if you don't have a fast connection).
*
This video, based on the A - Z concept, was launched at the anti-smelter sensitisation meeting at CCA7 on Tuesday 21st March, 2006. It will be broadcast in as many ways as possible, in addition to other vital sensitisation material.

*

Elspeth

UNWELCOME!!!

Yesterday's anti-smelter march in the Southwestern Peninsula ended in a moving inter-religious ceremony on a site which would have to be cleared if the proposed Alcoa smelter ever got clearance. Religious leaders and representatives (Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Orisha, Open Bible) prayed not only for the area, but for the entire country and its confused leaders. As these speakers said, this is a spiritual fight, in God's hands ... not man's. (click here to see some photos of the day)

*

Meanwhile ... today's Guardian quotes ALCOA: T & T's 'opposition to the smelter is not unique ...'. (Ho hum). Have a look at today's Guardian and read more articles on this.

*

The Trinidad Express also covers quite a few smelter issues ... from the march to Patrick saying the smelter will not harm south residents ... to the glowing promise of 'smelter to bring jobs for La Brea'.

*

Anyway ... back to yesterday ... The children of the Chatham area did their own version of the A - Z concept. This was organised by Fitz who, when he saw the display at the March 21st meeting at CCA7, admitted that it brought tears to his eyes. For some of the letters they used the same words I had used in the original version ... but for other letters they had different words (e.g. R is for Rash ... whereas I had R is for Ruined Health). It was endearing and powerful, wrong spelling and all: Hearth Attack, Justics, Envoriment, etc.

*

*

This shot shows some of the 26 letters created by people who responded to my e-mail to do an artistic representation of A - Z on brown paper. The alphabetical anti-smelter artwork embraced the room in which the anti-smelter meeting was held (CCA7).

*

*

This one, created by Nicola, was a favourite. She depicted the letter U (which was eventually changed to UNWELCOME - instead of Union Village already ravaged). In this piece, a furry, rabid-looking dog (made with fur which she purchased from Samaroos Carnival supply shop) sinks its blood covered jaws into a leg which has SMELTER written on it.

Yes, you are UNWELCOME ... ALCOA!

*

Tomorrow I will feature the video version of the Anti-smelter alphabet which was launched at that meeting.

*

Elspeth

Ahhhh ... at last ...

Got my computer back. Return to regular programming.

*

Elspeth

Anti-smelter

A short article in the Trinidad Express a few days ago briefly recaps a few aspects of the anti-smelter sensitisation meeting at CCA7.
*
Maybe I'll get back my computer tonight ... maybe Sunday. Not sure, as Hank (who's fixing it) will be at work until this evening. So ... tomorrow I will not be writing a blog entry, as internet cafes will be closed and I will be leaving home early to head for Cedros. This is in support of the people of the Southern Peninsula as they stage an anti-smelter inter-religious march. For those who are interested, it starts at 9:00 a.m. at Chatham junction and ends at the proposed smelter site, where an interfaith service will be held (the people offering the issue to the Divine). If you have never been to Cedros, it is worth the drive - and it is about time that 'north' people realise that south is not another country and that nationwide support is more effective. Whilst I don't really believe that marches 'change the world' and I think many people are somewhat immune to them ("Oh ... another march?"), anything at this point will create some added awareness for the anti-smelter movement. Those taking part will gain an added sense of solidarity ... and I feel the spiritual aspect will be powerful.

If you come, on the way down, you will see the ravaged hundreds of acres of Union Village. Multiply this image in your head and you will get an idea of what will happen to beautiful, forested Chatham/Cedros if this crime (smelter) is given thet go-ahead.
*
Elspeth

Divine pleas work

Location: E-city

Finally getting computer back tomorrow so life, as far as computers go, will return to some sense of normalcy. More leisurely. No mad scrambling to type up things whilst watching the minutes and seconds dissolve on the internet cafe's computer timer.

After meditating yesterday I said a quick prayer: "Help me to get through my work today." I felt overwhelmed by it and was not in the least inspired. Plus I was tired (from all the anti-smelter activities that had been building up prior to the meeting on Tuesday at CCA7), just felt like sleeping or going somewhere in the country for a long drive ... and my brain wasn't feeling to work. However, my little Divine plea was effective and, when I least expected them, ideas flew into my head and I was able to get through my work so quickly and effortlessly that what had originally seemed like an impossible mountain became a small dot on my map of duties.

More to do over the weeeknd ... but not daunting.
*
Elspeth

Pupdate 2

Location: E-city Internet Cafe, St. Augustine

A quick update on Bongo the puppy. He was finally adopted on Saturday by the family of the little girl who was begging ceaselessly for him. He joins their seven other beloved pet dogs and will enjoy a good life, inclusive of weekend family trips to Mayaro.
*
Regular programming will resume shortly.
*
Elspeth

In the internet cafe

Location: S. Augustine, Trinidad
Cafe: E-zone/E-force (or something like that. Not bad at all, at $5 an hour)

I am now in an internet cafe - came here to do some work. Amazing how as soon as my computer isn't around I suddenly get swamped with a set of work with deadlines of "this week". At least its writing work, so I can do that anywhere - even by hand, and then transfer to computer after. I'm hoping Firefly (my computer) is back by tomorrow.

Now without the computer it amazes me how much time I actually spend on it without even realising. Also makes me realise how much I 'need' it for the things I do now: editing (video), graphics and even photography (if using digital). Writing can be done by hand ... but e-mail, blogging and other more immediate aspects are not possible. It's amazing how many people communicate by e-mail now rather than via phone. I have to keep checking e-mail when I can to make sure I am not missing important messages. I myself do it, sending e-mails to clients, etc. when it's not absolutely necessary to talk. Sending documents, etc.

What were we doing before computers and cellular phones and all these modern conveniences came along? What if we suddenly (for some reason) had to go back to that? Would the world go crazy? Or would people be relieved and less stressed? I think many people would feel lost and wouldn't know what to do, how to operate.

In other news ... the anti-smelter sensitisation meeting went very well last night. Will report more on that when I am up and running again, can put photos, links to any newspaper reports/reviews, etc.
*
Elspeth

Technical issues

Dear All, sorry to announce that my computer has had a technical issue and will be on the operating table over the next two days or so. I am now in an internet cafe checking up on mail and going to do some work (hence writing this post from the cafe). If you don't see any new posts over the next 2 or 3 days, that's why. But keep checking and you'll know when I return. Take care.
*
Elspeth

Water for Body and Spirit

Since the 1st of March 2006 my only liquid intake has been water. This was a decision I made at the beginning of the month - to do this for at least 40 days. I carry my 1.5 litre water bottle with me wherever I go and drink about 3 to 4.5 litres a day (refilling from the filtered water each time the bottle is empty). The more I drink, the more I want. It is a pleasure, not an effort. I feel as though my entire body, my mind in particular, is being flushed. As a result, I have been getting the feeling (within the past few days in particular) that something is missing. At first I wondered if I was missing the taste or texture of another kind of liquid (e.g. I used to love the creamy texture of a tickly mixed glass of Lasco non-lactose powdered milk). But yesterday I realised that the 'missing' sensation is as a result of the clean, clear feeling expanding within. It feels like like having a large garden with flowers and weeds. Gradually someone starts to remove the weeds, one by one, without you knowing. Because it is so gradual, at first you don't see the changes taking place. One day you look at the garden and get the feeling that something is different, but at first you're not quite sure what. ...

In addition to starting the drinking of the water on 1 March 2006, I also started back meditating. I do 20 minutes when I wake early in the mornings, when the place is still dark and everything is quiet. This is like giving water to my Spirit. Sometimes that 20 minutes will feel like five minutes. Sometimes I am restless and twenty minutes feels like hours, but I make it through. And even within that restlessness there is a pocket of silence and stillness that connects me to something deeper.

Flow

into me

through me

out of me

clearing

space

for

more.

*

Elspeth

The A - Z of Aluminium Smelters

Spelling out the facts.

*

*

A

is for

Aluminium

*

B

is for

Bauxite

*

C

is for

Cancer

*

D

is for

Disaster

*

E

is for

Environmental Destruction

F

is

for

Facts

*

G

is for

Global Warming

*

H

is for

Hazardous Waste

*

I

is for

Ignorance

*

J

is for

Justice Denied

*

K

is for

Knowledge concealed

*

L

is for

Lies

*

M

is for

Money comes first

*

N

is for

No tomorrow

*

O

is for

Options denied

*

P

is for

Protest

*

Q

is for

Questions

*

S

is for

Smelter

*

T

is for Toxins

*

U

is for

Union Village

(already ravaged)

V

is for

Villagers

(fighting to preserve life)

W

is for
Water

(polluted)

X

is for

X-rays

*

Y

is for

You

(will be affected)

*

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ...

(Don't sleep on this one)

*

If you are not yet aware of the two aluminium smelters proposed for south Trinidad (Union Village and Cap-de-ville/Chatham areas), click on F is for Facts and read up on it and attend the public sensitisation meeting being organised by the Rights Action Group on Tuesday 21st March, 2006 at CCA7. Details below:
*
ANTI-SMELTER SENSITIZATION MEETING
The Public must take action to stop this national crisis

Participating Organizations:Chatham-Cap-de-Ville Environmental Protection Group, Cedros Peninsula United, Rights Action Group, Block Up Inc, National Food Crop Farmers Association, Green Light Network and many others…

6:45pm – 9:00pm
21st March 2006CCA7 Building,Fernandez Industrial ComplexEastern Main Road, Morvant(just West of the Lady Young Traffic Lights)

Pupdate

The puppies minutes after being found.

At the request of a commentor, an update on the puppies I found the other day in the rubbish dump.

Of the five female pups I took to the T&TSPCA, the pure white puppy has so far been the only one adopted. The others are 'doing well', but hopefully will find homes also.

Dear Bongo.

Since being found, dear Bongo has passed through many hands. My friend R's housekeeper, P, had said she wanted him, so he stayed with me for one night (I was holding him for P, since it wasn't possible to take him for her that day). The next day I had trouble getting on to P by phone ... bla bla bla long story ... and finally, the afternoon I was to drop Bongo for her, someone called R and said her sister, K, wanted a puppy for a few days, to lift her spirits. So Bongo never made it to P (which was good because P decided a few days after that she didn't want him again anyway).

So Bongo spent a few days with K, being totally spoilt and adored. However, as K and her husband live in an apartment, she could not keep him and had to give him up, very tearfully. It was like seeing a mother part with her own child.

I took Bongo to Vinmer Vet Clinic, on the advice of Animal Welfare Network. They said they would find a foster home for him, as he is so young (6 weeks). He will be cared for there until a home is found.

Leaving him at Vinmer was a heart-rending experience. He didn't know why he was being abandoned after being spoilt for all those days (N.B. When I got him back from K he was smelling sweet and powdery and he had his own pink towel and a pink toy). He, the toy and the towel are currently in a playpen with another (older) puppy called Lucky (who apparently is his good friend now).

However ... a family who really loves dogs (they already have seven - most of them 'rescues') are seriously considering adopting Bongo. The good thing is, they see dogs as pets and not mere 'watchdogs'. Their little daughter has been begging for him, especially as she has never had a puppy of her own from puppy stage (all their dogs have so far been acquired beyond puppy stage). They have visited Bongo at the clinic, they like him and the little girl is still begging ... but the parents are still in let's-consult-each-other-and-decide-whether-or-not-to-adopt-him-as-we-have-seven-already phase.

I anticipate I will hear from them today with their verdict. Send out good vibes for the best outcome. I will 'pupdate' again when I know what transpires.

*

Elspeth

Observe

Do you fill space

to not feel space?

Take words away

And can you speak?

*

Elspeth

Moon Flowers in bloom

For a lamp that I initially felt was going to be very organic and earthy, Diva is turning out to be quite metallic. I suppose, being a Diva, she had to have it her way.

Her lowest pane is the metallic sheeting with holes punched in it to form a spiral sun (visible in one of the photos here).

Her uppermost pane is the poetic-license-chicken-wire moon, filled with an irridescent collection of semi-precious stones.

A section of the Moon showing a few of the semi-precious stones.

Last night three flowers grew out of the Moon ... which leads me to see the semi-precious stones as seeds.

There are only three flowers.

Three: the unification of body, mind and Spirit.

A (rather blurry) close up of one of the 'seeds', showing its translucence.

If it is that, metaphysically, semi-precious stones are said to have healing and protective powers, then it follows that the Moon flowers that have sprung from these seeds are full of Flower Power!

*

Elspeth

Gaining the Moon

Over the past three days Diva lost and gained parts of herself. This time I didn't film the process. The first thing she lost was the orange backing behind the spaces in the pane with the film strips. Something else will go there.

The orange part is now gone.

The second thing she lost was her uppermost glass pane. It was feeling too heavy, as if it wasn't meant to be there. The open space feels a lot freer and more open.

That top pane with the strip of plaster across it's lower right segment is now gone. In this shot, Rose comes from behind Diva with her camera. This shot is from the other day up at the Mount, where she was interviewing me about Diva and other works. See the plains of Central Trinidad down below, in the distance.

After losing what she did, Diva gained the Moon. Quite 'ironic' timing for this development, as the 'real' moon is now full - or very near full. The Moon that she gained is not the typical round or quarter moon. It is a 'poetic license' Moon ... a rough envelope made out of chicken wire, filled with multicoloured semi-precious stones and bent slightly into gentle undulations. It will stretch horizontally across the now empty window frame, filling only about a half of it.

Some of the stones that fill Diva's Moon, laid out on an old tree trunk.

Most of the stones are translucent, so when held against a source of light, their colours are illuminated. That day up on the Mount when Rose asked me what the top pane was going to be, I said I wasn't quite sure, but I knew it would involve the semi-precious stones. I had bought them because they seemed very Diva-ish: a cross between the jewelry of a fashion Diva and also representing the spiritual power stone meanings behind amethysts, rose quartz, etc. (which fits more with the Diva-as-Goddess part of her personality).

The idea for the Moon came when the topic of 'balance' came up in our conversation ... and I realised that with Diva's lowest pane representing the Sun (traditionally seen as male energy), it was only natural that the top pane would be the Moon (traditionally seen as female energy). With these two celestial bodies as a part of her being, all the more power to the Diva.

*

Elspeth

Recipe for Recharging

Reflecting and Recharging

As prescribed by the Diva.

INgredients
As much silence as possible: even if you must be amongst people, frequently take time to be alone. Step aside or step within and do short periods of meditation, deep breathing or any method you prefer for tuning in to your Self.
As little interaction with electronics as possible.
As much Nature as possible: even if or when you must be indoors, carry a leaf, stone or some other natural element with you. Keep it near to you at all times.
As much water (drinking) as possible: Create or select a personally empowering mantra or affirmation and repeat this silently to yourself every time you drink your water.


Method
Take three days (in this instance, Saturday 11 - Monday 13th March, 2006).
Mix the above ingredients well and with great intent.


Whether you go somewhere remote or remain in the course of your everyday life, you will benefit from these INgredients.

Shift, Balance, New Energy.

*

Elspeth

Sleepless in St. Augustine

I suppose because this little puppy (christened Bongo J) slept all day, he had no need to sleep at night. His high pitched screams were virtually constant, punctuated by brief moments of sleep (perhaps exhausted from his own howling). It is now 5:00 a.m. and he is quiet, only because I have him here by my feet, tail wagging non-stop. I am keeping him overnight for a woman who wants him.

These are Bongo J and his five sisters in the box they were placed in upon being gathered. I found them yesterday in Felicity, Chaguanas, near to the mangrove, which was become a dumping ground for humans with rubbish to discard. The sight (and site) is deplorable. These poor puppies had been dumped- and perhaps recently, as they still smelt of puppy milk, were clean and soft and were very gentle and loving (compared to a puppy who may have been born in the wild). When I found them they were surrounded by human garbage, some hiding under an old rusty appliance, being fed roti by a man who (when I said I would take them to TSPCA) told me: "Dey eh have nowhere in dis country dat could care for animal! Only in de United States of America! De Prime Minister of dis country can't even take care of de people and you want to take care of animal?!" (Quiet steups, walk off shaking head).
*
Of course I took them to the TSPCA, where the five sisters now are (since Bongo J has a home already). The girl at TSPCA estimates they are about 5 weeks old. They can lap and eat solids. I have sent out an e-mail with photos of the pups to my friends. Hopefully between that and the TSPCA's regular walk-in visitors, the other 5 pups will find good homes. If you, reading this, are in TT and want a pup or know of someone who does, go to TSPCA and ask to see the 5 pups dropped off on 9th March, 2006 by E. Duncan. You won't regret it.
*
Click here to see close up shots of Bongo J's sisters ... and take your pick. (Click on the photos to see enlarged versions and descriptions).
*
Thanks.
*
Elspeth

Helconia (video clip)

As the video clip begins, note the presence of the little angel at the bottom right corner of the screen. (Also visible in below photo). S/he was quite curious about the camera but darted out of frame when I called out a direction to Angel.

Location: Valencia. Everything on 'the set' we found as is,

down to the umbrella hanging on the line.

All that has been added are the angel wings.

*

Click here to see video

File size: 479 KB

Length: 23 seconds

File type: wmv

*

As we were driving through Valencia on Sunday, I was on the lookout for a clothes line to use in one of the sequences. I've always loved the thought of hanging pristine angel wings on a clothes line behind an old wooden shack in the country. We eventually passed an old wooden house at the side of the road and it looked ideal, so we stopped. A woman and two children peeped out and I asked if we could use their clothesline and two clothespins to shoot some footage for a project. The mother said sure - and we did our bit. It worked out smoothly. As we were departing, we gave some snacks to the two children (Angelboy had done the catering for our trip - delicious cheese sandwiches and a large bag of assorted corn curls, Cheezees, etc.)

I like the idea of the Angel picking up her wings from the clothes line. Something about that act suggests to me that angels are 'everyday people'.

Questions and observations arise:
1. When she is not wearing her wings is she any less of an angel?
2. People generally think of angels living in glowing, heavenly environments. Does this angel's seemingly 'poor' environment make her any less celestial?
3. What was it that she washed from her wings and why?
4. Does she wear different wings for different occasions?
5. Were those in fact her wings ... or was she merely a mortal who came upon them, found them beautiful and decided to put them on (thereby becoming an angel)? However, her actions suggest that she is already familiar with the wings.
6. Where is she going? She's on a mission of some kind ...

*

Elspeth

Heliconia

On Sunday I went driving with two friends, Ian 'Angelboy' and Sharlene 'Fairygirl'. These two friends are both lawyers ... and very artistic, unique and interesting ones at that. They take their roles as angels on this plane quite seriously.

The purpose of our drive was for me to shoot footage for a long overdue continuation of the project I embarked upon some time last year: Shooting Angels

Location: Salybia

The working title for the piece is Heliconia. Some time last year I was doing research on the origin of the name of that flower and came across one source which stated that the flower's name was inspired by Mount Helicon (in Greece), one of the sacred mountains of the nine muses. Not that this video is about Helicon or the nine muses, but I feel they must be at work here for inspirational guidance.

Thus far I feel I will leave the video silent, as this gives it a more ethereal quality. Generally people tend to be dependent on sound (whether words, music or atmospheric noises) - or to expect it. When something is silent for too long (especially on screen), impatience can result. It happens when two or more people are gathered as well. Too long a silence and someone will get uncomfortable and either cough or say something to fill the space: "Sooooo ... the weather is lovely, isn't it?"

*

Elspeth

Red, Six, Watch

The face when it had just been completed.

The visible plaster remnants need to be scraped off.

*

Red:

Rebirth, Power, Purpose, Passion, Grounding.

Energy of Fire.

Fuel for the Journey to be made, the Work to be done.

*

Six:

Dawn ... six a.m. ... the point between dark and light.

Twilight ... six p.m. ... the point between light and dark.

A magical time.

Sixth sense.

Six blessings:

1. The blessing of Balance.

2. The blessing of Dreams.

3. The blessing of Intuition.

4. The blessing of Love.

5. The blessing of Gratitude.

6. The blessing of _________.

Message: when the lamp light is on at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m. the blessings are most intensely projected(for a heightened period of six minutes).

*

Face as WATCH:

To watch over as Guardian.

To watch out for as Guide.

Watching over your outer.

Watching over inside.

*

Elspeth

(sac)RED (video)

The handle on the window reminded me of an angel every time I looked at it. Perhaps a manifestation of 'the Diva' (Goddess).

*

I gave the Goddess a body (Plaster of Paris). Her arms are upraised as she bestows blessings and gives thanks. N.B. Jasper in the background.

*

To see what happens next,

look at the (sac)RED video

Length: 40 seconds

File size: 743KB

File type: wmv

*

This stage (manifestation of Diva) took place on Carnival Monday. On Tuesday, when Minshall came with his Heavenly Diva it made me think of this one.

Based on what I wrote yesterday about taking the time to see what message you get from a piece ... what message, if any, do you get from this video? N.B. sometimes if you think too hard, you lose a message that is being delivered on a more subtle level and therefore cannot be put into the limitation of words.

I will say what I got from it at another point ... perhaps tomorrow.

*

Elspeth

Art

Many of the things I do are done intuitively. Going with 'the flow' has led me to interesting places that the intellectual mind (which thinks it knows all, but doesn't) cannot begin to imagine. In my life, I have come to trust that intuitive process. Naturally it guides the work I do and the way I operate.


Someone made the enlightening comment yesterday that I use 'any old thing' and 'call it art'. This is in reference to the window lamp, Diva. The person is quite correct - I often do use 'any old thing' (by choice). The simpler and more everyday the material, often the more it inspires me. The window I am currently using is a very 'old thing', for example. Perhaps a few decades old.


In situations where 'the artist' is not around to explain his or her vision, what does the viewer do when confronted with a piece of work that is not the straightforward poui-tree-around-the-savannah painting done in oils or acrylics? Does the person exclaim: "Dat not art!" and march off, angry that someone has dared to express themselves in a way that insults their intelligence? Sadly, this is often so. Rather than take the time to look deeper than the cliche and stretch one's mind a little to see what can be gleaned from the piece of work before them, many people's first impulse is to cast away what they do not understand. I find that a lazy approach not only to art, but to life.


Very often if someone asks me (about a piece I have done): "What does that mean?" I first ask them "What does it mean to you?" Sometimes people come up with things that I would never have thought of - to the extent that I myself am awed by the wonder of their explanation and by the vastness of the one piece. There are endless ways in which one piece can be interpreted, simply because, like fingerprints, each one of us has a unique way of viewing and expressing. To me, that is what art is. It is a process that results in that which invites people to think, discover and stretch themselves beyond the perceived boundaries of everyday life (whilst incorporating everyday life).


There are many times when I have seen art that does not move me or interest me or art that makes me go "Uh?" But, after my initial reaction, I often make the effort to stop and look, go deeper into it and find meanings. Whether what I see in the piece is what the artist meant or not is not the issue. There is a message in everything for each of us.


In 2001, when I had my first solo exhibition, of the people who came, many had this reaction upon entering the gallery: "Is this art?!" By the time they left the gallery, they were asking when the next exhibition would be. They had interacted, they had allowed their minds to open to something new, they had seen different parts of themselves. Not everyone can or will be able to do this and that is absolutely fine. I certainly don't expect everyone to feel, appreciate or understand what I do or the way I do it.


Anonymous, you can find a mind-boggling amount of all kinds of different art sites on the internet. I'm sure you will find what you are looking for with a few simple searches in Google.


I will end with a piece I wrote in 2001, reflecting (among other things) the power of one intuitively-made piece to deliver as many messages as each one of us is unique. Read between and beyond the lines.

It can be anything when I don’t know what it’s supposed to be.

It is everything when I don’t say what it is.
It remains dynamic when I let it be without changing.
It
is
me
is
you.

*

Elspeth

Developing Diva (video)

Click here to see DEVELOPING DIVA

Size: 1.49MB

Length: 1.25 seconds

File type: wmv

Music playing in the background: snippets of tracks from my Manzanilla CD (it was playing in the background as I worked on Developing Diva).

*

I worked on this stage of Diva some time last week (just before Carnival weekend). It's one of my favourite stages so far, and it's something I've never done on a lamp before. I found it to be quite an interesting development.

*

Elspeth

Successful opening night

I was going to put up one of the Diva videos I did over the weekend, but I'll do that tomorrow and feature the opening night today. It went extremely well. Photographs and DVDs were selling like hotcakes, resulting in over $16,000 made last night. I will have to confirm the exact price, but it is in that vicinity. $6,000 worth of photos were pre-sold to individuals and companies who pledged to buy a piece each (even before the exhibit opened). On the night itself about ten photos sold (with each photo at $1,000). Add to this the sale of DVDs at $100 each and the donations placed in the Happy Hippy Hero piggy bank and we've got a good bit of money that is going towards the animals of W.O.R.C. In the next two days (today and tomorrow) that the exhibit is open to the general public, if we sell all 33 photos, we will have over $33,000 going to W.O.R.C.

A section of the crowd listens to feature speaker, Professor John Cooper at the beginning of the night. More people arrived later. N.B. My parents: mum sitting in the creamish coloured dress. daddy standing in dark blue shirt holding catalogue behind him.

The Happy Hippy Hero pig had a prime position on the podium.

*

See here for a few more photos which will give you a feel of the night. When you click on the photo it opens up larger and you get an explanation of what it's about.

*

For those who have not yet visited, the exhibition officially runs from today (03-06-06) to tomorrow (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. both days). See here for more details and directions to the gallery (a map).

*

Also see Page 31 and 32 of today's Trinidad Express for an article on the exhibition by Earline Andrews.

*

Elspeth

You are invited

If you are currently in Trinidad and are free this evening from six p.m., we hope you will join us for what we are sure will be a very enjoyable evening.

Please see here for more information and directions to the venue.

*

Elspeth

Mistah Macho

At the request of Glasshermitage yesterday to hear Mistah Macho, and while Carnival is still fresh in the air, I'll go back in time to the Mistah Macho stint. I have it on cassette, so will have to dig it up. My friend in Switzerland (Co) has the original on DAT tape. Looking back, it was a hilarious venture. Considering we are not really soca artistes and were just doing this for fun, it was a 'tame' piece, especially compared to the high speed jump and wave menu of today.


Just a recap: the name of the band was Spec & Co (Spec being my nickname and Co being short for Corina, my Swiss friend - but also short for the word "Company", thereby also embracing the other band members).

(l. to r.) Anita, me, Corina at the Express for an interview. We were highly amused. I look like I'm trying to stifle a giggle as Anita probably mumbles some comment through her teeth whilst smiling and Co chuckles in the background.

N.B. My scanner doesn't seem to be working - so I had to take shots of the articles and photos.

Mistah Macho was a kind of spoof or joke, based on/dedicated to men who think they're "it", are always trying to impress women and feel that sooting (Psssssssssst) is the way to attract women's attention (sometimes making fools of themselves in the process). The band consisted of me (bass), Co (vocals/guitar), Jackie (drums), Deborah (guitar), Anita (lead vocals) and Crystal (vocals ... she was actually training to be an opera singer). Whilst Anita sang the main parts, Co did the talking part in her Swiss accent and was also the 'target' when an orchestrated 'male fan' (Mark, a friend of Anita's) would run up on stage at every performance and wine on her, as if out of the blue. The audience would inevitably scream with delight when they saw Mark, thinking he was a stranger going to wine on 'the Swiss girl'.

From one of our 'photo shoots' done by friend/photographer, Marlon Rouse.

Even though each of us played our respective instruments (bass, drums, guitar, etc.) in other bands or other situations, we didn't actually play or take instruments on stage when we performed Mistah Macho. Thre rest of us would sing back up and we used one of those backing tracks playing the instrumentals (what we had composed) which had been put together on keyboard by arranger Ken "Booker" Hutchison (a musician friend of Crystal's) at Diron Studio.

Another article that had come out at the time.

The calypsonian Crazy had heard our song and wanted to put it on a compilation disc he was putting together with calypsos, kaiso, etc. from that year. Nothing ever came of it.

One day Co and I were over at Crazy's apartment and there was a photographer there. The surprising (if not amusing) result was this photo in one of the weeklies with (ironically) a very "Mr. Macho-ish" caption:

Crazy, the real saga boy of Calypso, as always, in the company of two very sexy young women.

*
Below are the lyrics:

Mistah Macho

By Spec & Co.

(Singing part):
See him in de party, checkin’ everybody (Mr Macho checkin', while he discothequin')
Posin' in he dan dan, feeling such a sweet man (Mr Macho posin', Mr Macho cruisin')

(Talking part):

Tall and slim, he walks in with a Mr Macho grin
Girls look at him, he thinks he’ll win, he starts to wine and spin.
Starts to flirt with a mini skirt: “Hey babe, my name is Kurt!”
He think he’s cool, but he’s a fool, ‘cause posing is his rule.

(Singing part):
Tries to make the women high by showing off his butterfly

(butterfly* is gone now, butterfly is over)
He singin in de wrong key and soundin' like a donkey*

(No donkey! No more donkey!)

CHORUS:
So hear how Mr Macho goes:
With a pss pss here and a pss pss there
Here a pss, there a pss
Everywhere a pss pss
Look a chick, wuk it up, Mr. Macho hard up
Aha wacko macho, aha Mr. Macho

(Singing part):
Mr Macho in de street, checkin every gyal he meet

(Mr. Macho hold it dong, every girl not free in town)
Dahlin, Doo Doo, Dumplin, lemme eat your pumkin

(Mr Macho starvin' to eat somebody dahlin')

(Talking part):
His fancy car stops by the bar, the girls say “Ooh la la!”
The wedding band is off his hand, he feels he’s in demand.
Scopes out the meat, thinks he’s a treat, he’s on his macho beat.
The girl he checks get on vex, she scheups, he try de next.

(Singing part):
He sees a girl who’s nicer, he tryin’ to entice her

(Mr. Macho sleazy, dis girl not so easy)
With a cocktail dat he bought her, he dunno she’s he daughter

(Mr Macho checkin' even he own offspring)

CHORUS: So hear how Mr Macho goes …

Mr.Macho take it light, that girl won’t be yours tonight.
Aha wacko Macho, aha Mr Macho …

*

* Butterfly was a song and a dance at the time ... and Whoa Donkey was a kaiso song by those 'sisters' (Singing Sandra, etc.)

*

*

Tomorrow: Reminder/invitation!

Day after tomorrow: Return to the lamp. Over this long weekend I did some more work (and videos) on Diva. She is coming along in very interesting ways! In fact, after watching Peter Minshall's simple/genius band yesterday, I was happy to see that he opened the performance with a tall, otherworldly, elegant character moving across the stage holding a silver heart and named ... the Heavenly Diva. The announcers kept talking about "The Diva" and I thought of the window lamp each time. Cosmic collaboration.

*

Elspeth