The Company ("K2K") acts as a medium to explore creative work, specifically Carnival “mas” design. K2K embraces artists, performers and craftspeople that share our dream that the mas-man is a storyteller and the masquerader is the actor who brings the story to life.
The brand is a contemporary, edgy, fashion-forward product. K2K represents not only the future but attempts to preserve some element of traditional Trinidadian “mas” design and concept through the incorporation of storytelling and unique designs.
K2K originated from the desire to fill a gap in the Carnival market.
The designs are meant to be sophisticated, glamorous and chic and cater to the masquerader who is looking to be part of a bigger story; a moving canvas of artistic expression.
Although the theme of the costumes change each year, K2K’s inspiration will incorporate fashion concepts from icons throughout the ages. Each piece /costume is expertly constructed to ensure that the masquerader feels comfortable yet stylish and powerful.
A K2K PRODUCTION
For 2012 another dimension of mas will come alive. Mas will be expressed as a contemporary art form, represented as a moving artistic installation. This year, mas and fashion collide on the Sauté Trinbago Stage for K2K's band launch.
The designs will not only embody that unique chemistry of traditional 'mas’ but will intermix scale with kinetics; intertwine storytelling with dance, poetry and spoken word. The presentation, “The Waters – Seas of Consciousness” represents the evolution of “Me, Myself and I”, with gulfs, rivers and seas, each wading us through the flow of life. Costumes and designs will be executed under the guidance and expertise of 3Canal (mentors), Robert Frederick (costume engineer, former member of the Callaloo Company) and Geraldo Vieira (legendary veteran and innovator in mas engineering and costume design). THE MOOD OF WATER...Understanding the costumes: The costumes have been designed to create “a sort of living canvas”. In this way, the masqueraders are invited to become characters in this living work of art. Within the band there are three clusters.
Each cluster represents a different temperament or mood of water. Internally, theses clusters are known as “Structural Plates” (the costumes within this group are more architectural, denoting the rough, undulating yet yielding nature of water), “The Halycon” (the costumes within this group are more fluid in design denoting the serene nature of water) and “Sheer Madness” (the costumes within this group are made from mesh and a peek-a-boo of beading and pattern, representing the transparent nature of water). Together these clusters portray the mood for each waterway and simultaneously create a kaleidoscope of color at ground level. The backpacks or what we internally define as “ the wavers” have been purposely used to give theses costumes volume, scale and movement.
The intention is to create an oceanic feel/ an ethereal flood from an aerial view. As our backpacks “dingolay” in the Caribbean breeze they will create the tossing, turning and undulating motion of waves. For 2012 “The Waters” will take you on a psychological journey. Through this story the onlooker and masquerader will re-live the naivety that he/she experienced at as a child. But as the story develops, both the masquerader and onlooker will eventually move towards the “ I AM” – vis-à-vis, I am consciousness of who I am; and I revel in the person I have become. This year the story of “The Waters – Seas of Consciousness” will be told at Sauté Trinbago.
The designs will not only embody that unique chemistry of traditional 'mas’ but will intermix scale with kinetics; intertwine storytelling with dance, poetry and spoken word. The presentation, “The Waters – Seas of Consciousness” represents the evolution of “Me, Myself and I”, with gulfs, rivers and seas, each wading us through the flow of life. Costumes and designs will be executed under the guidance and expertise of 3Canal (mentors), Robert Frederick (costume engineer, former member of the Callaloo Company) and Geraldo Vieira (legendary veteran and innovator in mas engineering and costume design). THE MOOD OF WATER...Understanding the costumes: The costumes have been designed to create “a sort of living canvas”. In this way, the masqueraders are invited to become characters in this living work of art. Within the band there are three clusters.
Each cluster represents a different temperament or mood of water. Internally, theses clusters are known as “Structural Plates” (the costumes within this group are more architectural, denoting the rough, undulating yet yielding nature of water), “The Halycon” (the costumes within this group are more fluid in design denoting the serene nature of water) and “Sheer Madness” (the costumes within this group are made from mesh and a peek-a-boo of beading and pattern, representing the transparent nature of water). Together these clusters portray the mood for each waterway and simultaneously create a kaleidoscope of color at ground level. The backpacks or what we internally define as “ the wavers” have been purposely used to give theses costumes volume, scale and movement.
The intention is to create an oceanic feel/ an ethereal flood from an aerial view. As our backpacks “dingolay” in the Caribbean breeze they will create the tossing, turning and undulating motion of waves. For 2012 “The Waters” will take you on a psychological journey. Through this story the onlooker and masquerader will re-live the naivety that he/she experienced at as a child. But as the story develops, both the masquerader and onlooker will eventually move towards the “ I AM” – vis-à-vis, I am consciousness of who I am; and I revel in the person I have become. This year the story of “The Waters – Seas of Consciousness” will be told at Sauté Trinbago.
14 comments:
oooohhh sounds intriguiing!
another marse-type option? How effing cool is THAT?! 2012, the year of options!
My apology for repeating a bit of what Saucy's post has already stated. I highlighted the points below, because every year I visit Trinidad for Carnival I feel these opportunities are missed almost completely. I love MacFarlane, and I miss Minshall, but they cannot be the only voices who see a living breathing PEOPLE's public art-form, literally taking for granted, right smack in the midst of our wonderful diversity (I embrace MacFarlane's sense of pagentry, Minshall's mastery of kinetics, I a see a vast untapped canvas of the "nekkidness" of Bikini Beads/Bling and Feathers -BBF). If I had "discovered" the rich vein of the art of Trinbago mas in my teenage years, I would have locked my mind and pursuit of resources to make these visions come alive on the Carnival streets each year. But as fate would have it, I was immigrated to the States in my formative years, and did not get in touch with a passion for Trinidad mas until in my late 30's when grinding "career" and debt responsibilities doomed my ambition to take on a similar vision as stated by K2K. So, today my desire is to be just a patron masquerader in the stories of each years (where I had to be extremely selective within quite limited choices of all the bands available in what I could play to represent a story, and I wished more people could see in the revelry, but it just became my personal story, my own art within.)
So, in short the K2K vision is amazing. Please, please, please COMMIT to make this REAL for a solid FIVE years to take root. "Built it and they will come." I'll be there in earnest! Make Trindad and Tobago, with it's rich legacy, continue fearlessly to be a world leader with innovative and leading-edge concepts in a vibrant people's street art de Carnivale. :)
Highlight points:
K2K originated from the desire to fill a gap in the Carnival market.
K2K embraces artists, performers and craftspeople that share our dream that the mas-man is a storyteller and the masquerader is the actor who brings the story to life.
K2K represents not only the future but attempts to preserve some element of traditional Trinidadian “mas” design and concept through the incorporation of storytelling and unique designs.
The designs are meant to be sophisticated, glamorous and chic and cater to the masquerader who is looking to be part of a bigger story; a moving canvas of artistic expression....
K2K’s inspiration will incorporate fashion concepts from icons throughout the ages. Each piece /costume is expertly constructed to ensure that the masquerader feels comfortable yet stylish and powerful....
Mas will be expressed as a contemporary art form, represented as a moving artistic installation.
Oh, I cannot forget the decorative mastery of another legend: Wayne Berkeley (recently deceased, condolences)
Those sketches look amazing, can't wait to see if the costumes live up to the concept. Especially love that the male costumes are COSTUMES for a change.
very nice indeed, its a such a relief to see creativity coming back into mas. Not all this nonsense of "want to be" designers trying to park off poor quality crap as DESIGN. X was a let down and Explosuon Mas only into vice with all that ass and breasts outside. Come on its not hard to find a designer with talent.
@Dougla 1, these are really impressive designs and interesting concept. I am currently working on my thesis which is focused on the struggle in localizing carnival practices throughout the "black Atlantic", would you be interested in doing an interview? sharing your insight on mas in Trinidad.
My contact is simoz899@newschool.edu
I was about to say, another band?!? But, I love these sketches. I particularly love that they are sexy and fashionable at the same time. It looks nothing like Mac Farlane or Minshall, which I think is great. We need this in Mas. I agree with Dougla 1, I believe that there can be creativity and beauty in bikini mas. I really wish this band well. I hope they use good materials, because it would be unfortunate if the real costumes don't look as chic as the sketches.
Everytime I see one of these bands surface something always go wrong and they dont make it on the road. (i.e. oracle and au currant). Please make it on the road next year, i am already locked into a tuesday costume, but this can be an option for monday. I am always intrigued by this type of sexy, but artsy mas. Unfortunately they never seem to last long enough for me to leave the masses.
DC Chica, there is beauty and creativity in bikini mas, now, although the form is limited and could seem repetitive. My point is it not focused on expressive art, and it is more about dressing up and looking sexy (at least the perception of what is sexy, at the moment.) Mind you, I don't mind seeing dressing up and being glam, but I would like to see some of the "nekkidness" used in expressive art concepts and contexts. And I am not suggesting highfalutin "art," but just regular relate-able people's art such as a stirring piece like Minshall's Adoration of Hiroshima, extended to a large band, but with much, much less cloth. I believe there can be profundity always in the revelry, though not a conscious requirement.
I love those sketches. Now THAT is what I want to look forward too. I truly hope they make it to the road and make a presence.
Those sketches are AMAZING!
simoz, check your inbox. :)
Doughla_1I most certainly agree with you. It has been said so many times before and many bands have failed to step up to the plate. I myself was relocated as a child, but my parents somehow managed to keep my Trinbagonian culture alive in my siblings and myself. Your words were clear Dougla_1and I am so hoping they heed to your message. I do not believe that they can begin to understand the way the natives who are overseas feel about holding on to that part of their Trinbagonian roots. Just looking at all the uproar online builds up my enthusiasm of just wanting to be part of it all. My dilemma is however, all the political controversy about registering and the special treatments to certain individuals. Also, lately it seems that some bands only cater to a certain kind of person. I guess they believe that they are doing their business justice. I know from a child I learned “Here every creed and race find an equal place”, but I guess many forget the reasons and the meaning behind that reference. Although this disappoints me somewhat, I still keep hope alive. Like you stated “If you build it, they would come” nothing still cannot stop the show from happening, and believe me “AH CUMMIN”! I would be there with bells on and ready to be part of it all. I cannot wait to see the costumes of K2K, it looks like it would be a dream, I am loving the concept. I am eager to see it up and running. Wish them the best of luck.
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