Research and Development Trips
1. Kolkata - India.
Helen spent 1 month in December 2003, working as Lead Artist and performer for Kinetika Arts International. Working in conjunction with various schools, for their first ever western style Carnival 'Din Shiru' on the streets of Kolkata. Accommodation was provided courtesy of the British High Commission. This trip was self funded.
2. Trinidad and Tobago.
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Helen spent 2 weeks in November 2004. Divali Lights, studying the connection between Trinidad and Tobago and India. She visited Peter Minshell's Mas Camp, and carried out research on the slave routes and the association with carnival, tradition and current preparation for the carnival 2005 season. In 1981 Helen visited Trinidad to witness the carnival celebrations that year.
3. Venice - Italy
Helen spent a week in Venice, during February 2006, during their celebrations of 'The Venetian Masquerade Carnevale Extravaganza' . This trip was funded through 'The Arts Council of England' who awarded me a Grants Award for the Arts.
The visit was to research the creativity of the whole character, studying to repropose costumes of the 18th, 19th century, the historical masks of the Commedia dell 'Arte and the specialised techniques observed in hand made masks. These characters link to the Caribbean carnivals through mas costume evolving through European connections. A carnival section will be made on this theme to attend the IOW carnival this year and an exhibition at the Quay Arts in January 2007.
4. Viarraggio - Italy
Visiting the Carnevale in Viarragio February 2007 with Ryde Carnival Arts Unit and to perform herself with the costumes i-Pavoni,
Helen paid a visit to the Cittadella. This is where the Artists build their large floats, they are as big as a house. They then procede along the main seafront promenade for the paying public. These puppets and sculptures are made out of papier -mache and are amazing to behold. Usually based on the theme of politicians making a satirical point, amusing and amazing to behold. Self funded.
5. Nice Carnaval - France.
Europe’s largest Carnevale , some of the best companies are invited to perform and it is hosted by Nice Carnevale Tourist Board Organisation.
Ryde Arts Carnival were invited with costumes that Helen had designed and produced through mas camp and carnival ncfe level course named Earth Magic . It was a wonderful vibrant carnival their theme was Cats, Rats and Bats and we all promenaded along the carnival route. On some of the days they had flower processions where eventually the magnificent flower displays would be taken apart and thrown to the public. It was also a bit crazy as silly string is their traditional way of showing that they like your costume and you get plastered in the stuff. Accomodation for the week courtesy of Nice Carnevale then self funded.