The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and the Central Bank, which hosts some of this year’s Crop-Over art exhibition at the Grande Salle, presented a highly interactive, third annual musical and poetic improvisation of artistic works last week Thursday. This was one of two evenings on the calendar that will use this method of exposing visual art and artists from the region.Cultural officer for the NCF, Kevin Farmer, explained. “Every ten days in this space and satellite galleries in The City, new artists will be displayed. So enjoy your art walk through The City.”First the “Exhibition Improv Band” selected artwork by Katrina Alleyne, a vivid orange piece entitled Circles And Lines, which they accompanied with a samba rhythm expressing a Brazilian carnival feeling of the piece. They would add their musical interpretations throughout the evening, accompanying the poets as they read.Next Margaret Gill, inspired by a kite display, presented a piece called Clot’, a dark contrast to the usual playful vision of kites. She highlighted the noise they make when designed with ‘bulls’ at the edge, as well as the practice of tying blades to some kite tails “to cut down other kites”, like a life, she reflected.She also featured a gents khaki suit made by Mark Daniel. The shirt, bag and shoes, reminded her of the pride of the African man walking down the street in these clothes, “with the keys to the Kingdom in his pocket. Next time you ask an African to do anything this side of the Atlantic you will have to ask permission!” she asserted.Bassist Julian Griffith chose a piece by Cuban artist Leandro Soto called City Of New Delhi, an 18 ft x 3 ft ink on silk work depicting scenes of Asian culture. The music the group played was refreshing like a spring, with sitar sounds matching the spirituality of the temples on the print.Toni Stuart sang Faces, based on a deep blue work by Maria Elias called Eyes. Stuart, like the others, created her song on the spot, as the art captivated her. “Don’t underestimate my open gaze!” she ordered. Two patrons from the audience were inspired to write pieces too. Simon Victor was influenced by Tie-dye People, the repetition of its design reminding him that “we are all from the same pattern and variations on a theme”, and Dr Helen Zamar from Martinique read in both French and English, emphasising the natural elements of sun and fire, in the piece she chose to relate.The multi-talented Jack Lewis and NCF literary officer Mark Welch also made poetic contributions to the evening. The art exhibition continues in Bridgetown in the Harley Davidson store, Cave Shepherd, Royal Shops, Satjay Mall and at the Grande Salle of the Tom Adams Financial Centre.by Umoja ROCK
