Lovely Jason, the Nail technician

Yuh too fabulous!

Jason Lewis is too hot! He is what your mother would describe as a nice young man; ambitious, hardworking, polite, sincere and good-looking too. Jason has a shop in the heart of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and he works long hours. Yet, to a whole section of the population, a visit to his shop would be akin to visiting a different planet.

You see the lovely Jason is a nail technician. I am sure that he’s had to deal with aspersions being cast on his manhood at his choice of profession, but that does not stop the ladies from flocking to his tiny, but extremely clean shop perched atop some dark stairs on lower Henry Street. The women who come to Nail It Down are extremely happy with their man, he makes them feel nice, and he makes them feel pretty. What more do you want or need? They keep coming, it is largely word of mouth and persistence, you easily miss the entrance and there is no external sign.

It’s a whole different world up here, Miss Vicky’s hairdressing establishment filled to the brim every day with women getting their weaves touched up, finger waves, a little hair relax and plenty talk. You hear breaking news before it hits the front page of the newspaper. There is plenty of action in the narrow corridor and you are not likely to see a suit but all the ladies were extremely nice. Well except for the sour chick who claimed to be waiting “from early” to get her nails done. As the day wore on her face kept getting longer and longer, but bless him, Jason stood firm to his appointments. He is interesting to watch and you can’t help admire his obvious skill and talent. He is an artist creating little masterpieces upon each nail. It reminded me of mehendi being applied, painstaking detail work all for a moment. If Jason portrayed his work as living installations, like Tracy Emmin and others or sold the idea of societal commentary or some other platitudinous crap, he would be a star. Instead, he diligently services a couple hundred women, giving them exquisite individual nail designs.

The funny thing is that the people wearing these nails might not necessarily be considered to be “top drawer”, that is until the trend is featured in some glossy magazine as a hot thing. You know what happens next. – Natasha

National Treasure – Carlisle Chang

 

What our flag may have been – “Some of dem wanted Sugarcane, Coco pods, Hibiscus, Humming bird……some of them wanted fourteen colours on the flag”.

See his interview regarding the design of Trinidad and Tobago’s national Flag on youtube

Trinidad and Tobago became an independent nation forty-five years ago this last month. In the supplements put out by various newspapers there was information about the flag, coat of arms and other symbols of our independence. The creator of the previously mentioned was credited as the “Government Art Officer” or some such title. That would have been the late Carlisle Chang. Chang had been part of the early Art Society movement with Amy Leong Pang, Hugh Stollmeyer and Sybil Atteck though he was their junior. From an early age, his fascination with the art world was ably encouraged by his mother and his older sister Beryl and he was to distinguish himself receiving art scholarships to study in Britain and Italy.

Despite his brilliance, he returned home to live the life of the artist. Chang was a profound influence on many people, author included but the value of his contribution to our very Trinidadianess cannot be discounted. Though a noted painter who generally sold work off his easel, he gave up the brush in 1967 to explore public works of art in the form of large sculptures. In 1958, he designed the Coat of Arms for the West Indian Federation. This at a time when Caribbean personalities abounded, Norman Manley, Eric Williams, Grantley Adams, it is instructive to observe that the honour did not go to Edna Manley, herself a noted artist but to Chang. He went on to design the TnT Coat of Arms, itself a painstaking experience with meticulous research in heraldry and symbols. Always a scrupulous researcher and even more so when it came to his work, his design is not only correct in terms of heraldic protocol it is reflective of the time and his own sense of nationality.Incidentally, he was also a member of the committee that was responsible for the flag and insignia, though he never said publicly, he was the driving force of the committee and it is probably Carlisle that we have to thank for our beautiful red, black and white.

Chang was also to sculpt some of the most influential works of public art in Trinidad and Tobago, his murals, “The Inherent Nobility of Man”, “Conquerabia” and a host of others at the Central Bank, City Hall and Textel. He pioneered the use of fiberglass as a sculpture material and left behind a legacy that has never been matched. Through his long life, he received many awards and was recognized in several areas but Chang’s greatest contribution to Trinidad and Tobago was his independence work and the support that he gave to several generations of artists. For this alone his name should be mentioned in the textbooks. – Natasha

Celebrity bar hopping – Knowing or Showing

Yuh have Black Tower?

On the other scale from the neighbourhood bars and rumshops exists a new phenomenon, for Trinidad at least, the wine bar. These are places where the unbelievably hip can sit around with their friends delicately clinking their glasses together and appearing far to sophisticated for words. It is almost painful to experience this level of pervasive coolness. If you not here it seems to say, you are square. Now Trinidad has never quite been seen as a nation of wine connoisseurs, we make some of the world’s finest rums; our beer is a Carib (or Stag they’re all made by the same people anyway). For many years wine was synonymous in the minds of the general populace as Charlie’s Red Spanish Wine or the ubiquitous German Black Tower, the wine in the black bottle, what else. Surely we’ve always had those who appreciate the pleasures of a good glass of vino, Mr. Fernandes used to have one of the most comprehensive cellars I’m told, there’s always been an appreciable selection in the supermarkets and in various wine shops but part of the general lime, nope.

Truthfully, most of the good wine was found as diplomatic do’s, ex-pat homes and private houses, for the most part, wine found in most restaurants and bars here is glorified salad dressing. Few people other than Joe Brown talked about marrying the flavours of food and wine. But Trinis love a new thing, we embrace the novelty value for the time it takes for us to be seen at the venue or event before moving on the next big thing. The latest phone, the hottest car, the newest watering hole, why not a wine bar with the promise of snob value.

A visiting trained sommelier went to one of these bars one night and was amazed at the selection and even more blown away by the prices. He spent an enormous amount of time perusing the selection on offer though it didn’t seem to the rest of us that there was that much to look at. Oh my gosh, did this mean we’d been doing it all wrong? After much pursing of lips and hmmm, he picked a bottle and then winced as it was presented. Now this was behaviour that had previously not been seen since said person was quite game to drive to Maracas for bake and shark and ting. He sipped, swirled and then pronounced it acceptable. The server left and then he explained, most of the very expensive wine on offer was the stuff that was poured as house wine. He was appalled at the prices for what he considered nothing more than stuff to dress a salad with, just short of vinegar.Quite eye opening, especially since the other patrons were plunking their money down and posing artistically in their chairs, hands clasped round their glasses effectively warming up their drink. Women artfully flicked their hair as their escorts slumped into chairs, lots of air-kissing and exclamations. It was too wonderful. In the ensuing months several more wine bars have opened and the crowds dutifully swirl from one to another, many of the same faces to be seen. As with all our other types of bars you sure cannot beat this scene for the entertainment value! – Natasha

Tattoo meh girlfriend name – Shawndriell

Most popular requests: Names of their current lover

A friend of mine has a series of butterflies flitting up his arm and onto his back. These delicate colourful dainties are lifelike, beautiful little works of art gracing his milk chocolate skin. I love his butterflies, they seem so free, just as I love the dragon that roars across my brother’s very toned stomach. It is a huge, multi coloured piece of exquisite workmanship. But why would anyone want to so permanently mark their bodies with symbols? The art of tattooing has been around for centuries dating back to early man. Mummies and other preserved humans have been found with tattoos, including the now famous Iceman, found frozen on the Italian-Austrian border love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.

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The journey to getting a tattoo can be a long as carefully considering the symbology, researching the provenance, picking a tattoo artist, working with them to come up with a design. Then again, you could just get drunk one night and decide it’s a really good idea before waking up the next morning with someone’s name misspelled on a body part. The stuff that gives parents nightmares. Most responsible tattoo artists will not tattoo someone without first having a conversation about their reasons, nor will they tattoo people who are incoherent. It’s bad for business. Contrary to popular belief, most tattoo artists are not low-lifes who are poorly educated, many have skills on par with Art school graduates. With the human body as their canvas it is not an easy job to apply a design, it takes practice and dedication, it can take years to become a master tattooist. dating back 5,200 years. These permanent imprints whether plain or elaborate are always personal and have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.

The person responsible for some of my friend’s butterflies is Nigel Joseph who runs Godhead Tattoos in St. James. His book of flash is varied and he’s worked in some really good shops outside of Trinidad. I first met him years ago in another incarnation but since then he’s become a full time tattoo artist. Once he used to do etched glass, incredibly vibrant work that graces the homes and business’ of many people in the more affluent part of town. While the rich may have lost their glass genius those of us who respect the art of tattoo are glad that there is someone left to carry on this fine art. – Natasha

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thebookmann’s observation:

A heavy set Indian man with thick black glasses, his hair all slicked back and he says this to the casher: Stop dancing around and come and serve meh!

Young redskin lady at the casher, her hair all done up in loops of curls: You cyar be talking like dat to me
Indian man: But you know me, you is meh sweet lover

Holding up publicly

Many years ago while visiting Bonn, Germany I stumbled across three Henry Moore statues sitting in a fountain in front of a museum. The quirky figures were part of the landscape, but they made an impact just for being there and it said a lot for the city fathers who had paid to acquire and install them in a so public place.

In Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on the corner of St. Vincent and New Streets if you happen to be looking you may notice an unusual amalgamation of cogs and a climbing figure. It is a little hidden by the bouganvillea hedge but the elements are visible. On your way to work you may see yourself being described, the worker, one of the cogs without which business could not successfully run. This is a work by Pat Chu Foon, the provenance I have forgotten in the fog of time despite having spoken to the artist about it. I do recall that when it was installed it caused quite a stir, Trinidad is not noted for appreciating abstract sculptural works but there was a dedication ceremony and Banyan TV interviewed Mr. Chu Foon. I do recall that Mr. Chu Foon had described it as a tribute to the worker and the wheels of industry turning to make this a great nation. But that’s all I can say clearly lest I put words in the mouth of the creator. Mr. Chu Foon is gone and if something is not done, this work may soon also be gone in that it seems to be falling apart by degrees.

As a nation we have silently lost many of our great public works without even realizing it. Starting with the destruction of Carlisle Chang’s mural at the old Piarco aiport, “The Inherent Nobility of Man”, the people of Trinidad and Tobago have lost sight of many great works including Chang sculptures at the old Textel Building and City Hall. As cities in the first world move to celebrate their works of art we hide ours behind facades and glass. It would be extremely sad to lose this hidden treasure, Mr. Chu Foon’s sculpture. – Natasha

Addendum on Carlisle Chang’s mural: This work was considered a monumental achievement for the then, Telco company. The sculpture represents the inner ear. It tells all about how sound travels within and without the earpiece. – Adele

Spend Your Money Wisely – VIP Paying Patrons

Knowing how to work the crowd…..

What got me thinking was standing knee deep in people on Saturday night waiting for Machel. Yes, I did crawl out of my hole long enough to go and take the jamming at AC5. I had hoped that the organisers had learnt some lessons from years gone by, they may have but they’ve still got some ways to go.

I could whinge at the less than great treatment meted out to the folks who shelled out the 500 bucks to go to the VIP section. Stop, hear me out, not everyone who goes to VIP is going to “coast”, make style or whatever it is people go to all-inclusive fetes for. There are some of us who can’t deal with being trampled in the middle of crowds, or want to feel safe in an all girls lime, we go to the VIP section largely because we want to SEE what is going on. As much as we are loathe to admit it, some of us can no longer stand and jump all night.

So there we were in VIP, we had the worse view of the stage, there were long lines for food. That said, we were waiting for Machel. We were not looking for a concert in the park, a trip down back in times lane or to “big up” the other folks. Let’s understand this clearly. When people pay money to hear an artist perform, they’re coming for that person. You expect that there will be a warm up band, but not six. You expect that the show will run with few interruptions and that you will get home at a decent hour.

Well, you could hope anyway. By the time Machel made it to the stage at 2:30 am people were leaving. I stayed put because I had not driven and because I was curious. I like the music, I think he’s a great performer, Machel Montano is a world standard, A Lister, now if only he’d get his head around that.

He came, he gyrated, he sang, he wined, he put on a show, we lapped it up…in quiet desperation I might add. Twenty five years after being too young to soca, Machel did in fact show that he was now a Soca Master. A showman in every sense of the word. Those of us who were not too tired to appreciate this fact may well have been too drunk. Sad but true. You had to give it to the man though, he can surely make you move.

For me it was extremely poignant and personal for reasons I don’t care to discuss. But I realised while standing there in the midst of 30,000 gyrating, jumping people that maybe I was now too old to Soca. Not in body, but certainly in mind. I was no longer remotely interested in maniacally following instructions all night, or being out until the crack of dawn just because I could. I just wanted to enjoy the show, dance and leave when I was tired. So yes, I enjoyed Machel. Will I go next year? Only if I’m driving myself and can

From her personal point of view, Natasha reports on a Carnival event.