My trip to Trinidad Carnival in 2005 was one of those life changing infusions. Experiencing 'The Greatest Show on Earth' turned out to be pivotal in deciding the direction in which my creative career took. When I left England I was a Fine Artist who earned my bread and butter facilitating community projects, including creating carnival costumes but what did I really know about carnival? My work in carnival arts had no context. I soon realised that carnival was not just about costume -it was a whole way of life; a virtually uncharted Mela of art forms, a culture of music, role play, tradition, poetry, craft, ritual, symbolism and dance. When I returned to England Masquerade was deep 'in me soul'. But my most striking memory in all of the madness, colour and covortion during that five day non-stop street party was a vision of a pure white band, 'The Washing', by Brian MacFarlane. It seemed to access a response in me which went deep beyond the surface of the seductive sequins, the glitering beads and the wining, quivering feathers... The players were serene, powerful and passionate all at once, clear and confident in their message. Seeing 'The Washing' made me see carnival as a real artform, one which I wanted to follow.
And now six years later, I have the chance to meet Brian MacFarlane and hear him talk about his work in Coventry, where he is to unveil 12 new designs for Imagineer Productions Cultural Olympic project 'Godiva Awakes'. I realise that at the time 'The Washing' was somewhat of a turning point for him too; a new beginning or perhaps a new era for Trinidadian carnival.
MacFarlane is the last link to the past, stoking the spirit of carnival and it's origin in real raw street theatre. But Brian MacFarlane is the only one of his kind, a purist in a tsunami of artless bikini Mas which has somehow been allowed to become the world face of Carribean carnival. While the other Mas bands are raking in the cash, his Mas band looses money year on year and is only subsidised by his international career. He has come close to giving up like other true carnival designers before him. He is the only true 'King of Carnival' left. Who else will save the integrety of the Islands art?
I hear him say "Where is the message gone from the Mas? As artists we're not just there to make pretty things...we are there to nudge people..." His words lift my feelings of cynicism, my dissapointments and frustrations. The sequins and the bling don't matter for a moment. I feel cleansed by his words like 'The washing' and I believe in the power of street theatre, proud to be a 'carnivalist' once more.
But most interesting for me though, MacFarlane tells us there is no such thing as originallity. He describes how he wakes himself out of his deepest sleep in the middle of the night and forces himself to transcribe his visions onto paper. I think of all the missed ideas that have floated through my exhausted sleep, when I'm too tired to or too worried about annoying my husband, to get up, turn a light on and start scribbling! Besides I'd only be even more exhausted for work the next day than usual... But he says there's no such thing as original " It's all there, we just need to know how to reach it."
Yes, I think, his work is full of archetypes, shared symbols and pure expressions of humanity. He is like the innocent child -timeless, unconsciously intune with an ever changing big picture and his voice is full of clear intent.
