Mark Hesselink - Remembering Series

Mark Hesselink, director of, The Fighter, 2006 View BookShort Feature

Before the Ontario College of Art and (Design) was renovated and expanded to have that structure suspended over the entrance, the hall which hosted Fund Raising events, held a bar and was the general Auditorium was the set stage of a film produced by Mark Hesselink. Mr. Hesselink was part of a reading student group who included, kika Thorne and Linda Watson. These meetings were to discuss Hal Foster's Anti-Aesthetic book on Post Modern essays. Mark, Kika and Linda where quite proficient readers of the thick, heavenly souped jargon and spoke it as if they knew what was deliberately meant,....hmm, Susan and myself thought otherwise.

Did I mention to you that I took part in the film as a railway worker, along with kika Thorne and David Finley. I remember the train tracks and his concept of the history of Chinese and other immigrants who built the foundation across the Great Canadian North. Funny to think so many years ago. I lost track of Mark Hesselink, the last time I heard he was a director of slick music videos, and quite involve with the trappings of the film industry.

The eraser of history - Meaning and Relevancy

Kwynn Johnson's thesis catalogue as an artwork, am I part of its history?

Article courtesy of Sexypink

Last week I went to see the work of a young, up and coming Artist, Kwynn Johnson. Her show at Softbox, titled, “Red, appropriated”(sic),was in part fulfillment of her Masters in Cultural Studies. Looking at her presentation, I could not help but hark back to a long conversation that I had had with the Artist Christopher Cozier many years ago on the work of his wife, Irenee Shaw. He had told me in regard to my own work, Hit! In 2000, where I used red embroidery, that Ms. Shaw had had a show in 1989, where she used red thread on her canvases.

Red thread has also been part of the visual language of the artist Richard ‘Ashraph’ Ramsaran, who in 2001 used a thin red thread through his biographical works titled, de Line at CCA7. The use of red thread has a deep, resounding influence in contemporary arts of Trinidad over the last twenty years. If it has been pervasive before I would appreciate further information on the topic. It is because of this knowledge that I was saddened when in my reading of Ms Johnson’s catalogue, I found no such historical references to this material that informed all of her work. This is difficult to state because I am somewhat involved as an artist working in embroidery and favoring red thread. One is inclined to assume special interest on my part. But it is because I use thread in my own practice that this observation bears notice. Particularly because of the fact that there is also a very big difference between those who use embroidery and those who use thread.

I also would not be so reactionary if her show was simply one for public viewing.Her show is a visual academic thesis. It is in fulfillment of a degree and so, it must stand up to the rigors of research and specifically the lack of documented research that is retained in the memories of our older art community who can recall much of the history. I have been extremely fortunate to be the recipient of many small volumes of writing published in the sixties, seventies and eighties on Art, dance and culture. These have been marginally helpful, yet, they too neglect to add certain things that help theoretical discourse because they are largely personal opinion.

I find this concern in writing on my own blog. I enjoy writing about Art as a practitioner of it, and in my own way, I am very aware that what I write is being read and quoted, and so I want to be faithful to facts as well as recollections. If I am very concerned, and this is just a blog, then by all means, we all must care about the lack of facts in the documents that pass as research, particularly when these facts are used by academia.

Nicholas Laughlin captures the Riches of El Dorado

Two superimposed photographs by Nicholas Laughlin, Statue of St. Peter in the Roman Catholic Cathedral; Cayenne, French Guiana, South America, 2009

The Trinidadian travel writer, Nicholas Laughlin, on his trip to French Guiana, South America in April, 2009, has posted a few snap shots of his visit which he says is just for memory sake. At these timely moments, the sites, places and people that captures him, Mr. Laughlin takes his camera out of his leather canvas bag, composes the frame and squeezes the shutter button. The results, unknown to him are an inner compassion, his subtle beliefs in Christianity or more aptly the Christian motifs that mirror his poetic calling through the art of the lens.


Two superimposed photographs of a mural by Bagnard Francis Lagrange in the prison church on Ile Royale. Iles du Salut, French Guiana, South America, 2009

Superimposed photographs of a mural by Bagnard Francis Lagrange in the prison church on Ile Royale. Iles du Salut, French Guiana, South America, 2009

Nicholas Laughlin is the editor of The Caribbean Review of Books, a quarterly magazine and moderator of Antilles, the CRB blog. You may find out more about him at nicholaslaughlin.com.

Dai Roberts' Bauhaus Sculptures and Drawings

UNIT started by manufacturing a set of materials in a unitary size1. This size was arrived at intuitively in relation to its ease of working within the human scale2 rather than by the use of other universal standards of measurement. Three found materials were selected, acrylic sheet, particleboard and copper rods, chosen for their visual and constructive qualities. These materials appear to be pristine. A system was devised to work these materials into three-dimensional objects. - Dai Roberts (Installation piece courtesy of Dai Roberts)

The British base artist, Dai Roberts is exploring the Bauhaus and the Modernists with his upcoming exhibition at Kingsgate Gallery, London in a show titled ‘UNIT’ which explores the many facets of making functional commercial furniture into sculptural pieces which you may have the inclination to place an object on it by mistake. Roberts works by a method of disassembling and reassembling furniture with deformity that makes it intospatial art. He also plays with the idea of Piet Mondrian compositions using coloured lamented panels stacked at different levels to give the object a three dimensional feel. In one of his UNIT works, a rather functioning table and chair is constructed reinforcing the Bauhaus code of ethics, Simplicity in design and functionality should be a blissful marriage. All that is needed for the installation is a decor using a Mac Pro and a Rubik's Cube placed squarely on the table. The undertone of Dai Roberts' work is the framework that supports these objects.

Dai Roberts lives and works in London. He completed a Fine Art degree at the Nottingham Trent University in 2002 and Masters in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Art in 2005. He has taken part in the Rojaraku spatial workshop in Latvia, and the Braziers international artist workshops.

Units - Dai Roberts
01.05.2009 – 15.05.2009, open Thursday-Sunday 12-6
Preview: 30th April, 6 -9pm, Kingsgate Gallery, Kingsgate Workshops Trust, 110-116 Kingsgate Road, London, NW6 2JG On Sunday the 10th of May at the gallery, Dai Roberts will be 'in conversation' with Andy Bannister artist and Head of Fine Art Sculpture at City & Guilds of London Art School about the show.

Ode to Earth Day 2009

The Poui in bloom, Trinidad, West Indies

Soil, sand and seas, ample hills that bleed, oaks, pines and daffodils. See beyond your childish gaze, touch my silky skin. I am here not for my beauty, but for my time, before I return to a desert, dust clouding my vision, damp charcoaled skin. Death comes with a whisk of flames, I sleep never to return.

Ode to Earth

Western Hemisphere leaders fail to ratify accord - Summit of the Americas

One of the two cruse ships sunk at the Bay of Sealots, Trinidad

Port of Spain, thebookmann wonder of the world

After what the Prime Minster hoaxed as a historic success, he put his signature on a large florescent pink bristle board card designed by cultural historian, Brian Mc Farlane. The Port of Spain treaty which the host of the Fifth Summit of the Americas solely approved pushed measures that the East Indian Doubles will be now be officially be an African Triniadadiangrenadian delicacy. Western Hemisphere leaders failed to ratify this as it denied the Rights of the Indian.

After the closing ceremony, the Prime Minster's wife called, Dictatoresha her cousin on her Red Berry North Korean Digicel and spoke in a language unknown to well educated citizens before 1962. The event that took place ten minutes after the two fully loaded Princess Caribbean cruse liners departed from the Port of Spain port is a scene described as hands raised, praise d Lawd, flag waving, Machel Montano soca fête groupie gone bad, as both ships plundered under in the most polluted part of Sealots, submerging the ungrateful delegates after all what her man had worked for, got sick for, and done for them for free. This was followed by bells ringing. Sources pinpoint the Shouter Baptists Mafia was involved.

Danger Danger HM Elizabeth Alexandra Mary II

Warning, warning, warning, CHOGM, do not touch the Queen



The official Royal portrait artist to HM Queen Elizabeth II before Her Majesty sat to be painted

thebookmnann wonder of the world,
Port of Spain

Buckingham Palace has issued that for the security of Her Majesty’s protection to the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government held later this year in Port of Spain, Trinidad . Her Majesty’s M16 has fitted the Queen with B9 to foil any attempts of an alien touching the Queen, The House of Windsor, Her Majesty, Elizabeth II of the Kingdom of Great Britain. In light of the American alien who wrapped its arm around Her Majesty earlier this year, the Queen reacted with a measure of restrain, diplomacy and composure, citing her good etiquette training which her mother, the Queen Mother had instilled to the favorite child.

Buckingham palace confirms that after the incident, Her Majesty walked calmly away to her quarters and closed the doors behind her, then exposed her true blue blood line. This was followed by Handel’s Coronation played a bit louder than traditionally before as sounds of a Scotch Decanter was heard thrown against a wall aimed possibly at a stunning portrait of the Princess of Wales. Buckingham palace would not deny or confirm this. Audio recordings leaked to the press detected a murmur where Her Majesty uttered between her lips…..Lady, LADY…LADY! My family once owned you, Hey child, eighty three years ago, the World was under my belt. M16 text messaged the Queen soon after. Your Majesty, it states, the alien that touched you turns out to be the wife of Jesus Christ, Michelle, a born again.

Organizers hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Port of Spain were briefed by the British High Commission that a protocol was in placed to halt any familiarity and seemed friendliness by the natives in Her Majesty's presence at the conference set for November, 2009. M16 has fitted B9 with a hot blue button which at any moment, the Queen, HM Elizabeth, Alexandra, Mary the II, may trigger a high level of volts as a reminder to the culprit that never you touch the Queen. I shock your little bum, she said in a fit of laughter.

Obama bids farewell - Summit of the Americas

Treat thyself in deed equal



US President, Barack Obama lifting off from the Queen's park Savannah, Port of Spain on his secret aircraft, Hotairforce 3

thebookmann wonder of the world
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad

President Barack Obama departed from the fifth Summit of the Americas the same way he arrived but with an unexpected twist. The Pentagon released a photograph of the leader of the free World, on what top officials disclosed as a craft projecting an optical illusion. Hotairforce 3 hovered over a large field in Port of Spain as his Secret Service escorted both Mr. Obama and the Head of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, caught in a moment of Tobago bliss, holding hands skipped towards the basket of the craft. The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez cut the ground ropes as the vessel ascending into the Caribbean skies. Chavez waved a small American made paper flag in solidarity and recognition of the progress his South America and North America state counterpart, Barack Obama had achieved during their three day all inclusive package.


An emergency meeting session between the President and Head of State at the Hilton.Talks and pressing deadlines continued in the wee hours in the morning, where both Mr.Obama and Mrs. Clinton looked refreshed to join delegates for the Summit of the Americas for breakfast. Hillary Rodham Clinton beamed ear to ear as she stated the President’s package reassured that her America’s interests were indeed met and we, together look forward to a prosperous future.

The Prime Minster of the small Caribbean island of one, paid not from his personal pocket to host the, CHOGM Fifth Summit of the Americas quickly announced to the Nation, that discussions were on the way with Sintex Industries, a plastics manufacturer in India which could profit over the tons human waste left behind as a gift of appreciation by leaders of the Western Hemisphere. The Sintex, biogas digester can turn human excrement, horse dung and bull'shit into viable fuel that can be used for cooking, generating electricity, or produce natural gas expected to be exported back to United States when the Winter season approaches.

Susan Boyle 1432 breaks all records

Don't be the master of all things, just one, with every force and might



The Scottish mega star Susan Boyle during her audition to Britain's Got Talent

Just after posting her singing performance on the youtube one week ago, Susan Boyle's courage to face an audience and a number of judges has evoked an emotional aftershock to over 26 million hits so far, it may reach a 100 million. Her rendition to I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables, Ms. Boyle addressed her audience in a simple manner. She may be very suffer from autism, yet the fascination and appall is that of her perceived prejudice just before the judges. Then, she opened her mouth and the World turned its ear to her as she brought forth vocal calibre that brought down the house.

This has more to do with the dignity of a human being, and the potential of human spirit masked other than what one sees. Here is a lesson to all, Popes, Kings, Queens, World leaders and the common folk. Put you prejudices aside, above all things, believe in the beauty that is of man beneath any of his skins.

Before and After, the three judges from Britain's Got Talent are caught wetting their pants. At 4.03 of the video, Simon Cowell released his kegel exercise

Obama pushes for cultural diversity - Summit of the Americas

Baby, Hillary, Baby, Baby you want to try one? Did you book those Tobago tickets yet?

Barack Obama whisked off to an unenclosed doubles location after the Prime Minster mentioned the island's morsel to the World at the opening of the fifth Summit of the Americas, Port of Spain

thebookmann wonder of the world : Port of Spain

Washington, a senior delegate from the American contingent issued a statement today over the US president’s unmoving glaze witnessed during the cocoa payol Venezuelan president’s speech. A coy having the likeness of Mr. Obama was positioned in his seat as the US President was whisked off to address more pressing concerning surrounding Human Hunger.

Cadillac Beast arrives for the Fifth Summit of the Americas

Most technologically advanced car in the World to protect the US President, but can it withstand our potholes?

The American Presidential limousine, coded, the Beast, specially customized for the Summit of the Americas V, Port of Spain, Trinidad

thebookmann wonder of the world : Port of Spain

The Prime Minster reportedly has completed his customized Foreign use roll on and roll off 2003 Nissan Alma especially shipped in parts from Japan. The car, named, the Caroni, sources confirm has a state of the art automatic gear transmission, air condition and power windows.

The buzz surrounding this car is that it will be used to meet the American President, Barack Obama as they both join a convoy of security Bedford trucks from Piarco airport to the Capital, Port of Spain. Mr. Obama's had flown in his Cadillac, the Beast for the three day fête summit and it will be driven on the Island's roads as black as pitch. This will be the first run for a car that is the most technologically advanced in the World to protect Mr. Obama. It includes bullet proof glass, an armoured body, a separate oxygen supply, and a sealed interior to protect against any chemical attack. The latter will be tested as they pass the Beetham Landfill and spanking new wall built on the wrong side of the highway. The beast is rumored to withstand a small rocket-propelled grenade once the President has stepped away safely away from the vehicle. The tires can run flat aptly in time to drilled by the planks embedded with nails, thrown across the Beetham road.

But with all the technology the Beast has in place, Organizers are comcerned over the driver's ability to react quickly enough to avoid the random potholes. Taxis are outlawed from using the diplomatic route as the small islanders very well know, they are more hazardous to the safety of the US President' s car than a rocket-propelled grenade attack. This is our little arsenal, the Prime Minster muttered to himself, the amount of hole he go go down in will damage he fancy car, dey did'nt think of dat

Summit of the Americas delegates meet in the Nylon Pool, Tobago

The dignity for a people to be governed by its own should forsake greed, contempt and hypocrisy

Commemorative Postcard, Summit of the Americas V, Tobago, West Indies

thebookmann wonder of the world : Port of Spain

Officials at the fifth Summit of the Americas have made an unorthodox decision to host the key meetings in the Nylon Pool, Scarborough, Tobago. For security reasons, delegates are required to wear bathing swimsuits as skinny- dipping is forbidden in the Small island, a mere 166 square miles in size. The host country has also ensured the safety of the leaders of the Western Hemisphere by tendering the security members from the 2009 carnival band Tribe. Ropes held by a convoy of security men and women are to keep off the spectacle from the peering Tobago public to a World event that has never been seen before. One of the treats for the delegates is a tasty Shark and Bake specially shipped from Richard’s of Maracas.

Drawn up on the summit was the issue of Human Prosperity to which all delegates unanimously agreed by raising their hand to take full advantage of the all inclusive three day package estimated to cost the host nation a small sum fee of $19,816,000,000 GYD. Beach balls were thrown in to induce a frenzy as women jumped on the backs of the men, and at a moment of equality, men jumped on any back available. The dignity for a people to be governed by its own should forsake greed, contempt and hypocrisy. Words heard by every delegate, but said by no one.

The Venezuelan president joked at an un-drafted amendment recently made to their constitution stated that Tobago’s sovereignty belongs to them. The Bar-bad-os delegate had his arm wrapped around the cocoa payol leader and kissed him gently on the cheek as they frolicked together in a water as clear as crystal as schools of flying fish nibbled at their feet. The prime Minster had his moment of glory when he reprimanded the US President, Barack Obama for pilfering a good size piece of brain coral from the Buccoo Reef. Where is yuh visa, dou mess with we ting, we’ll deport yuh tail back to where ever yuh born, barked the host leader. The Canadian premier quickly dropped his fan coral. Tobago has the oldest legally protected forest and marine reserve of its kind in the world.

Summits of the Americas Secretariat V - The Arrival of Obama

Where are my people ?

Barack Obama’s arrival in Port of Spain riding his Beast, Trinidad, West Indies. A walk among the people may defect the host country’s concern over his safely, and to a man willing to resist his whole purpose of leadership in a democracy and to one’s people, his forefathers have instilled. Just seeing him the public believes will transcend the belief that his existence is real. Mr. Obama must be persistent in that order.

Fifth Summit of the Americas
Port of Spain, 2009
‘Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and
Environmental Sustainability’

Concept Paper in part

The leaders of the democratic nations of the Hemisphere will meet in 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago at the Fifth Summit of the Americas to consider the most important issues facing the region and to advance collective solutions in pursuit of a higher quality of life for all citizens. After several decades of reforms, the Americas today are showing encouraging signs of progress. The emergence of positive political, economic and social trends has renewed expectations among our citizens for a better future of equal opportunity, greater security and increased prosperity. Meeting these expectations will require stronger and deeper regional cooperation and more effective programmes of action to accelerate the momentum of economic growth, build stronger democratic systems and combat the persistent and pervasive problems of poverty, hunger, exclusion and inequality, objectives which have been at the heart of the Summit Process since 1994. There is also an urgent need to address the new threats to regional security, in a world that is being rapidly transformed by technological advance, geo-political change and an emerging pattern of increasing energy constraints and environmental impacts.

The Port of Spain Summit will focus on developing feasible solutions to the challenges facing the Hemisphere and delivering tangible and measurable outcomes for all citizens. The emphasis will be on building our people’s ability to improve their lives and circumstances. The progress made at the previous four Summits of the Americas and the two Special Summits provide a solid basis for developing a focused, integrated and results-oriented Inter-American Agenda that encourages the effective engagement of civil society, the private sector, indigenous peoples, afrodescendants, women, youth and regional institutions in the Summit Process.

Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability focuses on reducing critical vulnerabilities and improving the well-being and safety of the peoples of the Americas through an integrated and mutually reinforcing set of social, economic and environmental policies. It addresses a collective regional agenda for achieving accelerated human development and poverty reduction, social and cultural inclusion, and a transition to greater energy security and more sustainable communities.

This integrated agenda will only succeed if it is supported by strong democratic values, good governance, respect for human rights, the rule of law, a renewed fight against corruption, gang violence, organized crime and terrorism, and a reaffirmation of the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. Overcoming poverty continues to be a major challenge for most of our countries. Deep and persistent inequalities exist in education, health, nutritional status, income and access to basic services such as water, sanitation, housing and electricity. Across the region, more than 96 million of our citizens live in extreme poverty, nearly 400 million still suffer some form of discrimination and 22 million youth are neither working nor studying.

These conditions can undermine security by eroding social cohesion and weakening support for democracy. Security has multiple dimensions; it includes the prevention of violence, crime and terrorism, but it also includes the creation of opportunities for people to overcome exclusion and marginalization, improve their lives and feel that they have a stake in the future development and prosperity of their nations.

The Fifth Summit offers a new opportunity for Heads of State and Government to build a stronger, more resilient and progressive Americas in which all citizens have the opportunity to benefit from economic development and growth, and enjoy peace, security and prosperity.

Greta Mendez does a Carol Burnett - Nora Desmond

Victoria Beckham, move over darling, here is a real woman

Greta Mendez's performance at Alice Yard, Trinidad, West Indies

Greta Mendez begins her performance by putting on a large white scarf and cloaks her head and makes a headband. This is to imitate a sort of plastic surgery where her face had be pricked with Botox injections and her breast cupped with implants to a DD size. Set to a musical score by Puccini, Mendez begins to dance and recite the torment she feels over aging and conditioning to keep up with the silicone, photoshop images of the female pasted in fashion magazines. With the aid of Robert Young, her mentor, named Max, she harps to him over her lack of physical appeal. Mendez mingles with the crowd and creates an interaction with participating guests but realizes finally excepting herself for who she is which in turn liberates her from the Botox chains into a free boxy natural woman . Image, the British based performer proclames, Image is everything.....

Greta Mendez's performance warmly received and attended by guests of an older generation, Alice Yard, Trinidad

Corn bird Man - Self Portrait

Feinin; A study of illusion and reality, parody, humour and humanity

Among the trees and branches I glazed at the bewilderment of life. My lonely passage trotting over a colossal landscape breached in jealousy more potent than me, alas, I go in flight, feathers surprise me, let me believe my pain is death, cold, unattended, swept away, forgotten...

Kwynn Johnson goes - Mimic POP ART

Kwynn Johnson's proclamation as Queen of mechanical embroidery - Red Appropriated, Art Exhibition, Softbox gallery, Trinidad West Indies.

At Softbox gallery in Port of Spain, the work by Kwynn Johnson reels in a large crowd. They are here to purchase, observed and speculate over an exhibition titled Red, appropriated, Art Exhibition. By the title alone set a red flag in motion as it had much to do with theoretical concepts backed by POP ART decal craft. Ms. Johnson is working toward her University of the West Indies Masters in Cultural Studies and the exhibition is part of her thesis surrounding the issue of popular (local) sayings, drawn if you like in red embroidery. This had a canny resemblance to Adele Todd's embroidery work whose pallet is thread and like Johnson, she focuses on the subject of the meaning and puns of Trinidad and Tobago's culture. Johnson however is not as sophisticated as in exploring the tactile texture of the material, yet with this show she was capable of outredding Steve Ouditt's weak doctorate thesis based exhibition at Alice Yard in 2008.

Adele Todd's embroidery from 2001

Ms. Johnson also included a series of compact water graphic colour washes of quirky iconographies that look like sutures and too Christopher Cozier-ish with fishing wire integrated in each piece to give it some sort of motif in its meaning. She also created decals of commercial logos, TTT, the Trinidad and Tobago copper cent and so forth, but they are too crude in their executing and not as slick as Richard Rawlins' iron on decals used in his Jeans Art, 2007. This is no Andy Warhol work here, but rather a frugal attempt to be in the know of a art trend nearly half a century ago. Kwynn Johnson's trickery was her machine made embroidered block letter script which entailed quotes on the appropriated redness of one's skin, her own. If embroidery is her voice, she has to be careful where and who she is influenced by, imitations just do not work.

...............................................................................................................

Regurgitate the fallacy of language, PHDs and other Academia may not apply

The following paragraph is the introduction to Kwynn Johnson's thesis by Paula Morgan. Head, Liberal Arts, Crauduate Programme published as a catalogue with noted corrections to a poorly written document.

We are here to serve as witnesses ? to the benefits of this initiative. Too much of the excellent research produced by our graduate students remains locked up in libraries, within the medium of print, ?? to be accessed by a select few. This project invites the general public to participate in (an) ongoing dialogue of how we construct to see ourselves as individuals, as ethnicities and as a nation (Nation). The story of red (Red) speaks reams to us questions this, and Kwynn (Jonson's) exhibition, with its interactive component ?? excites urges us and tugs into a , to search deeper more intense process of definition and (into the process of self discovery, produced through the practice of art which Kwynn explores)

Johnson's Thesis with notes:

.....While investigations into colour and its meanings is not a new project ? in art history scholarship ( give dates), my work here is grounded in (aimed specific, within a discourse pertaining to the Trinbagonian populous and of their persevered notion to what it means, oversimplified by my overlapping of the red thread which implies generations of inbreed belief......) This look at red does not claim to be definitive, but rather it is a retracing of some of the facets and configurations that arise from literal and figurative notions of redness. Moreover, it highlights its many intersections whereby it represents ways in which we have and continue to negotiate it.

(This focus on the redness of one's pigment is not restricted by the gradation of the skin's tone but rather it marries....and so forth)