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| The Yellow Sea. |
Not since ‘Tantana’ has high mas and high
fashion been merged the way K2K has merged the two with their presentation of ‘The
waters seas of consciousness. With this band
as their opening gambit K2K have confidently placed themselves at the very
cutting edge of contemporary mas.
In waters the designers Kathy and Karen Norman
use the seas as a metaphor of mans consciousness and the evolution that consciousness
may take in becoming self aware. Each section is named after a body of water
that may have a historical/religious connection to the state of consciousness
each section represents.
Unlike the fun bands of today, K2K make it very clear that they intend to bring back the old ethos of story telling through the medium of mas,
and reinventing what they call the ‘ the
cinematic beauty through choreography and design’.
Another factor that places K2K at least 3 tiers above the likes of Yuma,
tribe and the rest of fabulous fantasy merchants is the fact that they clearly
recognise and appreciate the historical significance of the prestigious title ‘Band
of the Year’, and boldly state that they intend to win it, a title we all know
only the very best of the mas fraternity can claim on the streets of Port of
Spain.
Break
in tradition:
Unlike the legendary bands of yesteryear, that drew inspiration from epic Hollywood
movies, historical events , great civilisations, or the richness of Trinidad’s own cultural amalgam, K2K has
drawn inspiration from some of the most popular and influential designers of
fashion, film, and stage today. Looking at the mas of the Norman twins and
tracing the possible seas of influence of these creations reveal this pantheon of fashion to us clearly.
Most of the head pieces take the
curves and swirls in form, echoing the style of Philip Treacy, in the sections you can see sprays of Jean Paul
Gaultier, waves of Eiko Ishioka and a shimmer of of John Galliano. If there are any influences
of any legendary mas designers in this band it is a splash of Peter Minshall in
(rage and fury female).
 |
Red sea rage and fury, looks like Eiko Ishioka's
Stargher King in the movie 'The Cell'. |
Looking outside the little box of Trinidad’s
modern day carnival for new inspiration is a concept that I have, (as some of
my readers say) ‘ranted on’ about for some time now. It has baffled me over the years as to why none
of the multitude of so called designers and bandleaders of the growing number
of new bands have never attempted to also draw from the fashion industries
extreme designers who’s show’s and avant-garde designs can so easily be transferred
to the genre of contemporary mas.
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| Sea of Galilee. |
When the Blog Trinidad’s Carnivals gave me
the opportunity to put this question to the Norman twins this as their reply.
“To be
honest I am not quite sure. However, if “no one ever challenged the status quo
everyone would think that the world was still flat”. Thus, we are trying to
challenge the ordinary, think outside the box and offer the masquerader
something different. Men like Peter Minshall & Wayne Berkeley have set a
very high bar in mas making. They have put our generation in the launch pad and
it is up to us to take-off and take mas into another arena. We hope to be those
faces to take carnival to a new level by mixing fashion with mas, and
expressing mas as a contemporary art form.”
These ladies are definitely the pioneers of
their generation.
 |
| River Jordan. |
This is without a doubt is a fashion centric
mas, the men’s costumes are tailored in construction, straight lines, buckles and
leather straps. The female costumes are powerful and iconic, the artistic eye and
abilities of the twins are undeniable, and the costumes are of an extremely
high standard, I think this presentation more than that of any of its contemporaries
can be called couture mas,
that these costumes are well crafted is an understatement.
 |
| Saraswati River. |
With all the
strengths of this debut presentation, from the powerful message of spiritual
redemption and self knowledge to its metaphorical aquatic theme, to the
decorated body suits and beautifully pleated leggings there is but one chink in
this bands proverbial armour.
Looking at the mas I can’t stop thinking
designers drew too much from the pools of high fashion.
In their
brave rejection of the repetition and mediocrity that is popular 21st century
fantasy mas, and producing this fresh, bold, and daring contemporary work, my
opinion is that the fashion has overpowered the spirit of the mas, there is
rigidity in fashion that is reflected in these costumes, and this rigidity
counters the fluidity of both water and consciousness.
It was almost too easy for me to identify the
pools of influence, that were used in each section, and while
there is nothing wrong in drawing from these pools of influence, drawing a
little too much can upset the balance, and the Norman twins have drawn form some of fashions most iconic
images.
While
I respect that they are not trying to be anything like the legends that have
preceded them I do find that it’s always good to take notes from the greats.
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| Ncome River. |
“...
you put just enough for the audience to do the rest of the work, if your too
obvious with it you leave them bored...”Peter
Minshall on designing the hummingbird. (See Masman)
In 2006 I called Tribe the Leaders of the NewSchool in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival,back then I
saw their approach as new and innovative. Today I pass this title to K2K,this band is
as fresh as a breeze coming in from the Caribbean Sea, like I said on Face book
it’s a shot in the arm that T&T’s Carnival desperately needed. I do hope
that this band is seen as a challenge to the rest of the mas fraternity to be
brave and challenge the now old tired order that mindless fantasy mas has
become.
I truly hope to see K2K
on the road for 2012 and many years to come.
If you want to see more of this band see the website.
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