thepancollective

family ties

I like paintings. Although I am not a collector in any sense of the word, I like visiting art galleries to see how somebody expressed themselves. It always gives me a sense of awe, because I can't draw or paint.

Last Friday there was an unusual sort of exposition. Unusual in the sense that it showed pieces done by one family, featuring two generations. There were some genuinely good pieces, and the children's whimiscal paintings were charming.

I admire the exposition also because it is an inventive way of bringing the family together, and to share parts of oneself that aren't always obvious. And let's face it: The family structure is rapidly changing if not falling apart and to have this kind of event, where extended family and friends get together is simply very rare nowadays.

It proves to me that it is not only in the olden days that people can come together. It can happen nowadays, too.

sun lover

 

The weather is starting to cool down over here and I'm not pleased. We had a gorgeous few days of Indian summer last week, but it is time for me to come to grips with the idea that Fall is here, and here to stay (well atleast until winter rolls around). This is the time of year when I am very happy that I have beautiful beach and tropical photos to scrapbook. Just looking at them makes me feel warm. I think I'll be keeping this particular page hanging over my desk until May next year.

you're invited to the wedding

Saturday the 5th of August 2006 was the first time She asked for a commitment.  

Saturday 2nd of September 2006 will be the second time ... and not the last. 

something to do on saturday

For those of you who would love to wake up early on Saturday morning and do something different, there's always the Greenlight REvolution. Have a click on the link and see if it appeals to you. Since it will involve being outdoors for at least two hours, from 8 - 10 a.m., let's hope that the weather will be ideal (i.e. light grey skies to filter out harsh sunrays and keep us cool ... but no rain to drench our placards or our guitars). Of those who have said they are coming, two have specifically REquested 'RE' words that they like from the list. If you are coming to be a part of the project, you can also book a word beforehand ... or you can just turn up on the day and choose one word at random. Who knows ... the random word you get may be just the word you need to apply to yourself: RELAX ... (been working too hard? stressing yourself out about a certain situation when you really don't need to worry?) RECONNECT ... (with yourself? with someone who's been on your mind?) REFOCUS ... REWARD ... REFLECT ... REUSE ... REGENERATE ...

Some people may wonder about the reason for the whole REvolution. The only true answer will come from experiencing it. 

love notes

KC Dinner Mints are quite like a staple in the Trinbagonian 'diet'. Most (if not all) of us know them and most (if not all) of us have eaten them and used their wrappers in some form or fashion. Recently, in writing about these mints on my blog, I 'caught a vapse' and decided to turn it into a project/investigation. I am going to: follow a virtual trail of KC Dinner Mint wrappers (firstly by inviting people to leave their minty KC stories or memories here) ... and find out the story behind the messages on the wrappers - who writes them and how/why it all began. I'm interested in seeing where this investigation/project leads.

Those of you who live abroad, even if you've not been to TT in decades, must be familiar with these mints. They've been around for as long as I can remember myself ... with their wrappers bearing often corny but endearing messages of love. Sometimes these love notes are gramatically challenged (as in "A women in love"), sometimes enthusiatic declarations ("I'm gonna love you"), soppy romantic cliches derived from popular music ("Love me Tender"), simple appreciative statements ("Stay sweet and kind") or short phrases inspiring a little more thought and inner reflection (as in "Be thankful" featured in the accompanying photo).

These mints are simple and affordable (about $1TT for four). They say that those who eat the cascadoo will return to Trinidad to die. What happens to those who eat the KC dinner mint? It may just be an unassuming confectionary item - not as legendary as the cascadoo - but certainly a local treat that must be experienced once you are here.

inviting you

On Thursday 25th May 2006 at the National LIbrary in Port of Spain there will be a photography exhibition entitled "The Caribbean in the Age of Modernity", organized for the 31st Annual Conference of the Caribbean Studies Association. See attached invitation here: Download online_invitation_to_exhibition.doc The image shown here is one of four of my photographs which will be shown, along with the work of other photographers and artists (listed on the invitation).

This site also gives more insight into what the exhibition and conference are about. For me, the theme 'Caribbean in modernity' conjured up images of the construction crane which has become such a common part of the landcape, sticking out like eyesores all over the skyline and rapidly replacing old buildings and trees. I find them to be strangely picturesque, annoying and invasive all at once. In keeping with the theme of modernity, I used my digital camera (not film) and did not take straight shots. I combined two shots per image to make my statement. In the photo featured here (Once upon a time), a crane from the new port is reflected in the glass of the building across the road. To show 'the good old days' being taken over by the construction boom, I inserted a piece of another photo (of a rural family from Kernahan liming in the porch of their simple wooden house). The arm of the crane seems almost continuous with their roof ... yet the two worlds are vastly different. The values inherent in the family's simple, humble world are being quickly swallowed by the construction and fast-paced, commercial madness. It will be interesting to see what other interpretations of 'The Caribbean in Modernity' are. 

the trini-ness of it all

When I was a teenager, for about two years I lived with my grandmother.  My grandmother is one of those distinguished West Indian women who believed everything had to be just so.  Everything had its place.  Things were done because that's just how it was done.  She was the type of person who would actually iron and starch her sheets.  And while she was a warm, lovely person to live with, I knew that I had to mind myself.

My grandmother, like many women of her generation, believed that when company was over, you pulled out your best linens for the table; however, if it was just family or close friends you used handwoven placemats.  I don't know where she got these placemats, but it she always had them, and all her friends had the same ones.  I used to love them -- stare at the intricate work, and admire their sturdiness.

As an adult, I'm not as proper as my grandmother (much to her chagrin, I'm sure).  I use placements for everyone.  I don't have fancy bone china.  But recently, when I was in St. Lucia, I went to an open air market -- and there, right in front of me, were placements exactly like my grandmother's.  I bought 8 on the spot.

So now, every night, my family eats off of these woven placemats.  And I'm sure my grandmother is well pleased.

free spirit

"We are too quick to put labels on things. It is my profession. I get up and paint. Everyone wants to put a label on it, but I am a free spirit, so I fight against that."

-- Tony Award winner Geoffrey Holder