I see it important, to speak to or journal this particular activity in Aripo. The village council elections. As an artist, I'm at ground level witnessing, something that is coming from a community, that wants a shift in their collective futures.
How as an artist/newly arrived resident participate in this shift.
The Aripo village is settled in the Northern Range, between Arima to the West and Vanlencia Village to the East. Aripo, is included in the Heights of Guanapo, which have a population of 1086, 2000, population housing census.
Aripo is a farming/residential community, with coaoa, fruit, cressels, christophene and cressels.
There is an ecological interest in the area, with Asia Wright having land there, a cottage is three already, hikers come up to hike, there is hunting and the presence of the oil bird cave and Leroy Clark have his studio there.
If we consider that development can be focused in.
Farming- with value added- cocoa to chocolate/ fruit to juices, cottage industy.
Eco-tourism- Bed and brakfast, community owned cottages/resturants, camping, tours etc.
Community Based Development- Overall aesthetics of village which will include the entrance, river spots, playspaces, community centre, communial spaces within the village etc.
The question is what role can we play as artist/designers in aesthetizing their dreams.
What will it look like?
What will be the political and social ramification of this type of intervention?
How it works. The village council supervisory team, sends the president or member from all the village council for training. On finishing they return to the village and impart knowledge to the council and community. This is a contractrual agreement for three years, if broken the council and in extention the community is held responsible for repaying the tuition fee.
The village council must then draw up a community development plan. They will be assisted by consultants in this phase.
On completion of the proposal they will be invited to a funding party where the different village councils will present their proposal to funders.
How many are choosen, I'm not sure.
I'm optimistic that artists/designers can contribute a revolutionary contribution to the concept of social sculpturing and make a serious contribution to the discourse on Caribbean aesthetics.
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| THE BRIDGE. Here is the main entrance of the village, if you continue beyond the bridge you will reach the Asia Wright Centre owned land. |
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| DETAIL OF BRIDGE. |
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| AT THIS TIME THERE IS A CEPPEP CREW THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE ARIPO AREA AND HAVE EMBARKED ON CLEANING UP THE THE AREA. |
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| GOING INTO THE VILLAGE PROPER. |
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| HOUSES OFF THE MAIN ROAD. HOW WILL AN ARCHITECT, RESPOND TO THE VILLAGE IS AN INTERESTING INVOLVEMENT. |
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| THE RC SCHOOL. INTERSTING TO NOTE MAJORITY OF THE CHILDREN GO OUT OF THE COMMUNITY FOR SCHOOLING. |
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| THE LOCAL BAR. |
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| THE MAIN SHOP. |
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| THE DATTA CENTRE ENTRANCE. THEY HAVE SPRITUAL PILGRIMAGE, THORUGH OUT THE YEAR. |
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| STAIRS HEADING INTO THE CENTRE, YOU WILL EVENTUALLY MEET THE RIVER. |
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| THERE ARE SEVERAL SPRITUAL CENTRES IN THE VILLAGE. |
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| COMMUNITY CENTRE. THERE IS A KITCHEN, AIR CONDITIONING, AUDITORIUM, STAGE FOR PLAYS AND A CONNECTING PLAYFIELD. |
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| PLAYFIELD. |
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| INTERIOR OF COMMUNITY CENTRE. |
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| ARIPONIANS CAME OUT. |
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| BEGINING OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. |
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| THE CAME OUT IN THEIR NUMBERS. |
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| VILLAGE COUNCIL HEAD TABLE. Was made up of the Village Council supervisory team on the right. They manage village councils throughout Trinidad and Tobago. To the left was the present village council |
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| CONCERNS. There are certain concerns in the community. One, is how the present village council is being runned. There is a division in the community. There is evidence present that the political system has divided this and I'm sure other vunerable communities. You hear it, feel it, see it. |
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| THERE IS TO MUCH DIVISION. This stated over and over, with applause coming from the audience in agreement. |
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| BALLOT TIME. There was the overall consensus that something was wrong, the Village Council Supervisory team. The elections was cancelled and two people were voted in to sit on the present council to supervise the process to the next elections. It was also mentioned that Aripo, Caura and Lopinot village council always have to be disbanded, why? |
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| KHADIJAH AMEEN. Of the Tunapuna Regional Corporation. At this time there is road development going on in the area. To access roads, for farmers. |
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| PRESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL SUPERVISORY TEAM. It was stated once again we need more people involvement in the village. |
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| THE PRESENT ARIPO VILLAGE COUNCIL, PRESIDENT. |
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| THE CHAIRMAN. Did a good job of officiating the proceeding. |
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| PLANTINE TREES. |
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| PAW PAW |
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| THE DESIGN LAB? |
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| NATURE WITH A POLE. Notice the Digi cell pole. To the left will be the lab. |
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| MORE NATURE. |
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| TRAILS. |
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| PLANTINES. |
What are the possibilites of the the Aripo Project, man!, I will surley like to see it happen.
The elections will be held in March now.
Hopefully with a new council we can prepare a hot proposal.
Great documentation of this development. It would be great to get an Aripo resident's view on the same event.
ReplyDeleteRR
Well, I have been in discussion with two interesting motivators. Mr. Goldberg the man from New York, now living in the area, Austin-resident and activist and Sio-the president of the present village council and Chapa.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Chapa is one of the visionary voices I have heard so far, it's not caught up in that anger, there is this peace full understanding, that he must have acquired living in close connection with the forest.
For me it's about understanding that there is a need and how as an artists, can we full fill the needs of that specific community.
Well alot of them is wrpaed in the commentary and hopefully the design proposal.