DArlen Projects: The UWI Sculptural Project 2006-2010: The making of Basketry 101

The Installation of Basketry 101.

One of the outcomes of the UWI Sculptural Project was the installation of one out of the seven proposed sculptures. Basketry 101, designed by Leslie Ann Noel a member of the faculty of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts. Basketry 101, was installed outside of the Main Library of the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.

The critical analysis of the process to the selection of the Basketry 101, the installation and the reception of one of the first pieces of art work on the Campus, can bring us closer to understanding why and where we are as artists and designers in regards to the politics of the Campus and the wider institutional community. It also tells us where we stand in the popular imagination of the people who manage the affairs of institutions.

The Process- The project started 4 years ago, when I met with the then Principal Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, who then gave me three months to return with a proposal that will outline how the project will be laid out. The proposal was accepted and was sent to C. William Iton, the Registrar at that time. Red lines were drawn through the budget, “Nah”, “doh Need this”, then it was accepted and the Project had the green light and the support of two of the most important men on the Campus.

C. William Iton left the University for the private sector and the project experienced a period of non activity. Due to a lack of individual investment in that project although it had the support of the Principals Office.

In comes Jeremy Callaghan, newly appointed Registrar, very supportive of the arts and understood what we were trying to accomplish. He came with this understanding of how art and design can function in the life of a Campus. The Project, with the support of Prof. Patricia Mohammed and Jeremy Callaghan was given new activity.

Prof. Patricia Mohammed Campus Co-ordinator Graduate Studies/Prof. Gender and Cultural Studies and Steve Ouditt (faculty member of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts) was asked to guide the Management Committee in the translation of the body of work that was presented. Which was down sized from seven to four, out of the four, Basketry 101 was chosen by the newly appointed Principal Prof. Clement Sankat.

Basketry 101 was given a budget and was built by Zax Waddel of Fret Works Design. The construction and the installation took an average of 12 months.

Design Analysis- There was certain design logistics that wasn’t taken into consideration. The size, Basketry should have been larger in scale and the baskets should have been chromed. The concrete architecture acts as a damping field, making Basketry 101 resistant to a visual resonance that was needed for design impact.

Interesting to note- that the original location was moved from left to right of the entrance of the Main Library, due to the Campus activity system that happens there yearly.

Looking Back, this project was supported mainly by a wise and more confident generation of executives on Campus and was somewhat dismissed by my younger generation. I was told that the Campus had more important things to do with their resources. I was asked why not include the older artists and had to defend the Project by telling them that the UWI Sculptural Project was about setting the state for a generation of artists that have been generally ignored by a political system of thinking due to our aesthetic style.

Still to date there had been no articles about the Project, powered by the institution mechanism, although the future unfolds ever so differently every morning. Some fault must drop at the feet of the Department of Creative and Festival Arts, for not articulating their support of Basketry 101, even though it was designed by one of their own.

The patriarchal order of the institution still exist, all the decisions were made by men at the stroke of a pen and the wisdom of individuality still has strong hold on decision making in our institution. There is a need for an acquisition policy in our institutions; this will help reduce the amount of emotional feeling that belies most decisions.

One of the main reasons one was installed rather than all seven, I will argue, was due mainly to the gap that exist within the minds of the executives within the institution. This is a pervasive institution personality in corporate TNT. Hence the existence of the individual decision maker aka “BMOC” big man on campus and not due to any lack of financial support for the Project. One of the main reason for “social” ordering holds our institutions in a fit of financial crisis to this day and for the fall of a government.

It must be said that the agreement is that with the installation of Basketry 101, the others will be revisited. Eddie’s Bridge, was seen acting as an actual bridge that will connect two buildings around engineering, by the pond.

Future- Is about the constant, creating more visible opportunity for artists and designers to engage with institutions, both state and private.

Presenting an acquisition policy to the institution, with the hope they will implement it.

Setting up the NGO- DADA&PROJECTS.

Leh we see how dat go wok.

Below are pictures of the Leslie Ann Noel, Basketry 101: From construction to Installation and ah little video.