"Masquerade is Rebellion" started as a little creative detour, but it blossomed into something much more!
Initially, I needed images of a dark masquerade to truly bring the artwork for "The Days of Plenty" to life. In that sense, "Masquerade is Rebellion" was simply a solution to a visual need. Turning this idea into reality took a lot of work though. After all the research and coordinating a full crew for a photo shoot, I figured I might as well find a story, write a script and film it all.
The film follows two disillusioned Caribbean-Canadians who connect at a party, finding a moment of respite from their oppressively bustling city lives. That covered off what the Days of Plenty needed, but then project took another turn.
A Fantastic Artistic Detour
Exploring Culture and Heritage
I believe that culture is always changing; it’s a product of the present time. Based on that definition, the idea of "losing our culture" has never really worries me. To me, culture is how people express who they are right now.
Heritage, on the other hand, is about the past and tradition. I do worry about losing bits of the heritage that my Caribbean culture needs to grow, especially in the context of living in Canada. I do worry about how we decide parts of our shared history should we keep, change, or let go of.
In Masquerade is Rebellion, I took a look into what the ideas of culture and heritage mean to me.
Exploring Caribbean Culture in Toronto
Dancehall and Carnival are lively, modern examples of Caribbean culture. Toronto is special because it hosts the largest Caribbean Carnival held outside of the Caribbean islands.
The Toronto Carnival is a wonderful way for people with Caribbean roots and the wider community to experience our culture. However, I sometimes feel that the heritage—the deeper meaning—gets lost in the fun. People don’t always understand the history of the music, the detailed costumes, the hidden meanings, or how the masquerade characters connect to the needs and spirit of the people who created this heritage.
A Reminder of Our History
This journey led me to create a photo exhibition. I paired strong images with short poems to explain the basic ideas that define the culture of the places my Caribbean community and I call home.
"Masquerade" also gave me the great opportunity to share this story on CBC Morning Radio in Ontario. My hope for this whole project was to gently encourage everyone to enjoy the vibrant party, but also to remember and value the history behind the amazing atmosphere, because that history makes the music and the experience even better.
