contents issue one | 2012
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EDITOR’S DESK RISING STAR: JAMAICAN DANCER RENEE MCDONALD ON MOVEMENT, PERFORMANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY REVOLUTION OF THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY SECTOR IN THE ARAB SPRING DEREK WALCOTT: A LIVING LEGEND XeBIT STYLE: KENEEA-LINTON GEORGE
C-TIPS; FROM IDEA TO PUBLICATION
JIANGSU, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SPOTLIGHT ON MEGA ENTERPRISES IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Editor’s Desk THE EVOLUTION OF A MEGA INDUSTRY, ARE YOU ON BOARD? Worldwide creative industries have exploded and represent a key feature in the development of modern economy. According to United Nations figures, the annual growth rate of exports of creative industry goods and services has been trending upwards at an average annual rate of 14.4 per cent since 2002. In 2008, the creative industries generated close to US$600 billion. Almost all emerging economies, including the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) block have integrated development paradigms centered on capitalising on the creative industries. Whether it is the Samba of Brazil, the Russian Ballets, Chinese food, Bollywood or Jamaican Reggae Music, the creative industries represent a relatively untapped resource for global revenue generation. The creative industries combine business, technology, culture and add value to what exists today. Across the globe, a new ‘experience’ based economy has taken center stage. It’s based on symbols, texts, sounds and images and harnesses the value of intellectual property. The Cultural Voice team looks forward to giving voice to many dimensions of the emerging Creative Industries, highlighting questions of intellectual property rights, cultural entrepReneeurship, diversity, innovation and the evolution of cultural paradigms. Cheers, Stefanie
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‘Rising Star: Jamaican Dancer Renee McDonald on Movement, Performance & Choreography By Derefe Chevannes
Photos by Tricia Bent
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ene McDonald is a Jamaican contemporary dancer, who also choreographs and teaches dance. When asked what goes through her mind when she dances, Renee notes “It’s almost as if I am on auto-pilot. My mind is in a completely different place. There’s a thrill and an excitement. My emotions are expressed through my body movements. Also, when I am on stage I love to look my audience straight in the eye.” A typical day for Renee is waking up and then going out to teach dance at the American International School. She runs errands during the day. At night, Renee dances professionally with ‘The Company Dance Theatre Jamaica’.
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When asked what she would change about the Jamaican dance scene, Renee answered, “I would love to see choreographers and dancers take more risks. They should touch on topics that are controversial. They can take risks in terms of the music they select and the costumes they wear and the topics they approach. Being cliché adds nothing new.” Renee has staged several successful choreographic works, her most recent being a piece titled “Chem-Lab”. But, for Renee, her choreographed piece “Stillborn” is her most impactful work to date. “Stillborn” addresses the topic of a grieving mother who has lost her child. It touches on the dashed hopes and ambitions of a mother having a healthy child to parent. Renee distinguishes between being stillborn and abortion. She believes that abortion is a deliberate decision of a mother whereas having a stillborn child dashes the deep expectancy of bringing the child to birth. “I tell stories that are dark and depressing. I tell stories that don’t get told. The stories are sad but immensely moving.”
“They can take risks in terms of the music they select and the costumes they wear and the topics they approach. Being cliché adds nothing new.”
Photo by Brian Rosen
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Photo by Marc Evans
Travelling is also important to the dancer. “I believe that when you travel, you gain a lot of inspiration. You learn how people across the world use props and costumes differently than you do. She also notes that “travelling allows you the opportunity to use and infuse—enabling you to adapt what you see and learn”. Idea music movement costumes When asked to chronicle the process from idea to execution, Ms. McDonald answered, “Usually, it’s music first then the formation of the concept, including the topic and then the costumes. Sometimes, though, the opposite is also true, where I start with a topic first then find the right music to fit.” Renee adds, “the completion of the whole process also entails dancers, costumes and sometimes funding.” Renee’s favourite type of dancing is contemporary. “I love contemporary because I feel as though there are no limits or rules as to what you can do. Your body is given this freedom to do whatever it wants.” Renee dances to music composed by Kerry Mossy, Diana Washington, and many others. Her inspiration for choreography often originates from “Youtube.com”. Renee continues to inspire and leaves the following words of wisdom, “If you don’t dream big, you’re going to live small.”
Photo by Tricia Bent
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Revolution of the Creative Industry Sector in the
By: Editor’s Desk
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011’s news headlines were filled with the revolutionary political events happening in what has become known as the ‘Arab Spring’. An outcry for social and economic changes and the opportunity to forge a redesigned future has evolved alongside the political manifestations of the youth. The interplay between design and creativityhas been a key component in the development of societies, whether through architecture, clothing and accessories, or décor. As the first Saudi female to be given the Saudi Ministry of Higher Education’s permission to study law, and having attained an MBA from the American University of Technology Sofana R. Dahlan has used her legal background and business prowess to put a new spin on the development of the creative industries in the Arab world.
“Development is a process, and process needs time” As CEO and founder of Tashkeil, a Multidisciplinary Center for Culture and Design, Sofana has carefully developed programmes that directly support the growth and development of the industry. Sofana, an articulate, charming, straightforward young woman spoke with the Cultural Voice (CV) representative at the 4th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Forum held in Doha, Qatar where she was a Creative Industry panelist and was a representative alongside H.H. SheikhaMozabint Nasser of Qatar and the High Representative of the Alliance of Civilization, Jorge Sampaio, in the closing session. Sofana introduced the concept behind Tashkeil. Tashkeil aims to provide designers from the Middle East comprehensive access to international markets, by providing access to a forum for information exchange, media coverage, a commercial network and more.
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Sofana explains that Tashkeil encourages designers to take a more progressive role in the development of the Arab region. Sofana believes that the UNAOC’s vision and mission of promoting diversity and intercultural exchange aligns directly with the company’s corporate culture. Tashkeil has project partners in Canada, Lebanon and Kuwait and the Company focuses on using creativity as a language that brings cultures together and bridges the gaps between civilizations and culture. One of the innovative projects of Tashkeil is the “Design Museum” a social enterprise that promotes independent designers in the Middle East. It allows Independent designers to showcase designs in a high impact space. The “Design Museum” aims to revive the region’s heritage as an eclectic center for design, art, architecture and culture with the hope of reducing designers’ migration to other locations. Tashkeil literally means the act of creating and the Organisation was developed from the principle of diacritics of Arabic script. These diacritics or accents on words indicate variations in tone and meaning in text. Sofana explains that the diacritics represent the ‘fruit of innovation and creativity’ of ancestors when they were faced with the challenge of unifying the many dialects in their language system. Sofana is committed to her vision for development of the Middle East and believes that development is a process and that process needs time. Regarding design she says that design is no longer a product of designers, it is the language used to express creativity and creativity is thinking outside the box.
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“For what else is there but books, books, and the sea?� (Another Life)
Derek Walcott: A Living Legend By: Stefanie Thomas
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n an interview with Cultural Voice Derek Walcott made real the legend and the man. The bond that holds man and sea is undeniable in the verse of Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott. The sea represents a fundamental physical and spiritual link for the peoples of the Caribbean. Its waters unify, and its treacherous waves spray salt that both burns and heals maladies.
Born in St. Lucia, Derek Walcott’s voice in poetry, drama and criticism is nuanced by Caribbean, British and American Culture, and echoes global truths. The language of Walcott’s verse embodies what Edward Baugh, in his book on Walcott refers to as a “sustained compassion for ‘the black, the despairing, and the poor’”. Walcott’s verse gives lofty purpose to the disenfranchised. Walcott embodies an entirely Caribbean Identity, saying, “I am primarily, absolutely a Caribbean writer. The English language is nobody’s special property. It is the property of the imagination...”, relinquishing the absoluteness of African descent or of a colonial past while quenching the thirst of critics who endlessly debate the role and relevance of adapted English for the Caribbean. Walcott shares with Cultural Voice’s representative (CV) that he was aware of his love for poetry at a very young age. His development as a poet started from age nine and evolved on a smooth trajectory without any particular turning point. He would practise his craft religiously by imitating the great Elizabethan poets as well as poets such as T.S. Eliot, W.B. Yeats and others. Perhaps these were his mentors, though he says that he had no “true” mentors. Published! Walcott, determined to have his voice heard, and concerned about not having the chance to be published, decided to publish his own poetry before he was 20. This self assured step provided a podium and increased the visibility for this man of words, whose rejection of the confines of race, colour, heritage and the associated nostalgia of history allowed him to be named among the greatest in his field. Walcott shared with CV that the opportunity to have his first book published internationally, ‘In a Green Night’, came through the interest of Alan Ross editor of The London magazine who recommended his manuscript to Jonathan Cape in London. Cape became his first international publisher.
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“I who am poisoned with the blood of both, where shall I turn, divided to the vein?” (A Far Cry from Africa)
“I who have cursed the drunken officer of British rule, how choose between this Africa and the English tongue I love?” (A Far Cry from Africa)
The art of finding a Publisher Walcott notes that publishers of poetry are usually not interested in money, as it was much harder to earn from poetry than it was from other forms of literature and that although writing was an industry with publishers, writers, readers, the market was larger for Fiction writing as it is generally easier to have a big hit. Walcott advises that, generally, young poets should seek publishers who care about the quality of the product and are concerned with timely production of works. Derek Walcott tells CV that he has been blessed with great publishers over the years. When asked about tips on writing contracts, he shares that in his experience writers’ contracts have been simple and straightforward and that this was a good model to follow.
the author and vice versa. Walcott enjoys meeting his readers and says that of course if it was a good reading, audience members may be more inclined to purchase the book.
Engaging your readers Walcott believes that book readings are opportunities for audience engagement and these sessions along with book signings provide a chance for the audience to get to know
Quick Fact: Walcott’s favourite pastime is swimming! Walcott will be speaking on “Making Writing Sustainable” at Katalyxt’s Writers Forum March 15th , 2012
Words of Wisdom For young poets Walcott offers this advice: “To be a published poet all you need is a pen and paper”. He shows his wit and great sense of humor in answering the question posed by CV, “Does it take many industry players to create a Nobel Prize winning author?” To which he replied, “To be a published poet is a very small occupation”, and in a more serious tone, “Writers should focus on improving the quality of their work first, so that the world will want to read what they have written.”
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World Day for Cultural Diversity 2012 10th Anniversary
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XeBit Style
Keneea-Linton George
By: Editor’s Desk
Keneea-Linton George, born in Mandeville, Jamaica, conceptualizer and producer of Mission Catwalk, a fashion –centred reality TV series, shares lessons learned, her inspiration and her favourite flavoured ice-cream with Cultural Voice. 13
“It started as a hobby, sewing for friends, while in school. ”
What got you interested in fashion?
I began playing around with fashion at 9 years old, cutting old clothes and doing all sorts of fabric-related stuff. I started getting orders to design dance and cheerleading costumes and I even did my sister’s graduation gown. It started as a hobby, sewing for friends, while in school. I bought my first sewing machine when I was working with Air Jamaica in 2002. In 2005, I was working on a show with Kingsley Cooper and Romae Gordon and one of the designers didn’t show up and I had to literally pull clothes from my closet that I had made. Romae and Kinsgley were quite impressed with the impromptu collection and encouraged me to get into fashion professionally. That very same year, I decided to do Caribbean Fashion Week.
Describe some of the partnerships you have had.
I formed a marketing firm with my friends in 2004. Our focus included model searches, model portfolios, calendars, you name it. I also entered into a partnership for the production of a Caribbean lifestyle magazine. The products were good but learned serious life lessons about partnering with other entities and people. I now do everything on my own. I advise entrepReneeurs to avoid partnerships unless you and your business absolutely need their skill set; have everything in black and white before you embark in any partnership venture and ensure that there is a shared vision and an overall understanding of the goals. It is also important in partnerships to have balance and clear guidelines as to how decisions are made.
What are some of your business principles? Honesty and Openness - Honesty being above all else.
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What are your hopes for Jamaican fashion and its evolution?
My hope is for us to improve the capacity for training and production. I want to improve opportunities for fashion designers, which is why Mission Catwalk provides scholarships. Teachers in Jamaica’s fashion schools including the Edna Manley College could benefit from greater exposure to the international world of fashion. The region needs an increased supply of well-trained teachers to service a growing industry.
What was the inspiration for Mission Catwalk?
I wanted to introduce a programme that could promote local designers within a profitable business model. For me, it is more than just about making money. I wanted to do something that I love and I absolutely love fashion!
What do you consider to be your trademark? The way I stand! You don’t realize you have a signature move or gesticulation until someone points it out. I have been told that I have a specific way of standing. I put my hands at akimbo and my left leg over the right (Keenea demonstrates this stance for Cultural Voice). I guess it’s all in the stand...or stance!!!!
In terms of policy initiatives in fashion, do you get involved?
I have just launched a non-governmental organization called “Designer’s Guild.” Designer’s Guild lobbies for tax breaks and reduction in custom charges for high cost and cutting-edge fabrics and other items necessary for the development of the industry. When we import items, we need high quality products and it should not cost us an arm and a leg.
“For me, it is more than just about making money. I wanted to do something that I love and I absolutely love fashion!”
“I want to improve opportunities for fashion designers, which is why Mission Catwalk provides scholarships.”
How do you balance being a television show producer, fashion designer and your many other pursuits and maintain success in all? I don’t want to multi-task anymore!!! (Keneea says emphatically) I structure all my initiatives in a way that keeps me focused. For large products or events, I try to focus on one at a time… I think it’s best. I was better able to multi-task in the past.
Chocolate or Ice-Cream?
Both! I love chocolate ice-cream. Actually, I love chocolate chip ice-cream with brownies!
What’s your favourite type of music?
I love ‘Nomads’ and ‘Protégé’. I appreciate all genres of music. I tend to like world music and contemporary music that is soothing, where I can get in my hammock and just…..listen.
Any parting words of wisdom?
Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life.
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c-tips:
From Idea to Publication By: Monica Minott
There are millions of good ideas. But, it is more important to translate ideas into action, and action into success. Most writers would like to have their work published.
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STEP ONE Write, write, write. It seems simple but putting fingers to your ipad and expressing your thoughts as text is your first mission. An alternative to this is to record your thoughts on your Smartphone and type it later.
STEP FOUR Rewrite with the new information from steps two and three. Your writing wll now be from a more informed perspective. You will have knowledge of the do’s and don’ts. Immerse yourself in the discipline!
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STEP TWO Review what was written. This is the first stress test. Ask family and friends for their criticisms. Persons closest to us can be brutally honest, yet will show compassion.
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STEP THREE Attend workshops, and read, read, read the works of experts! You need to know what’s out there! Learning about writing techniques and mistakes to avoid can save you much public shame.
STEP FIVE Review your new or updated works, yes you are still working on the product. Quality is key! There is now also a new challenge: to know what to throw away and what to keep. Not all your ideas are worth sharing or keeping. Sometimes a piece of writing just does not work. Get rid of it. Sometimes writers will write just for exercise, but exercises are just that, exercises.
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STEP SIX Subject your work to the ‘Acid Test’. Take your collections of short stories, poems, or your novel and seek audience with an expert. What you want from the expert is his or her frank opinion as to whether or not what you have produced is ready for publication or ready for the trash can.
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STEP SEVEN Protect your work. If your work is ready for publication, get acquainted with copyright laws and any guidance on intellectual property.
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STEP EIGHT Evaluate options for publishing,. Conventional publishing, partnership publishing, subsidy publishing, self publishing. Do your research before settling on an option. Weigh your options and don’t rule out crowd funding. It’s increasing in popularity. This option allows donors to pledge cash to authors for various incentive-based perks.
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STEP NINE Whichever publishing method you choose, nothing feels better than sharing your own published work. Networking, book readings and marketing will all be critical to your books’ success!
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STEP TEN Put pen to paper. Continue writing!
Sometimes a piece of writing just does not work. Get rid of it. Sometimes writers will write for just for exercise, but exercises are just that, exercises.
Jiangsu, Cirque du Soleil Spotlight on Mega Enterprises in the Creative Industries
By Derefe Chevannes
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Cirque-Facts!
rom Mumbai, India to Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, from Lagos, Nigeria, to New York City, United States, we constantly look for those mega enterprises that are changing the business of culture! The magical Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil and the innovative Chinese-based Jiangsu Performing Arts Group have not only entertained worldwide audiences but have turned over some fantastic profit figures!
t Performed in over 271 cities, 40 countries and for over 90 million people. t Annual revenue grossing over $850 million. t Founded by two former street performers Guy Laliberte and Daniel Gauther
Cirque du Soleil
Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, the entertainment company, Cirque du Soleil founded in 1984 has revolutionized how we see the circus. Forget lions and elephants tricked-trained, Cirque du Soleil’s contemporary circus is absent of animal participation. It is theatrical and character driven and combines artistic styles form around the world.
t Guy Laliberte owned 95% of the company in 2000. t In 2008, Istithmar World and Nakheel of Dubai bought 20% of Laliberte’s shares to facilitate training of future projects.
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it magically incorporates dance, music, theatre, acrobatic artistry, fashion and much more, into delightfully riveting performances. Cirque has plans for a TV deal, clothing line and its creative empire continues to grow!
Quick facts t China is the world’s #1 exporter of culture.
Jiangsu Performing Arts Group
t Jiangsu spans 12 types of art, from theatre to dance, music, and everything in-between.
Based in the Jiangsu province in China and established amidst cultural reforms in 2001, Jiangsu Performing Arts Group is the largest comprehensive performing arts group in China. Jiangsu has received rave recognition for stage performances, producing brilliant pieces in Opera that have won national awards and prizes of all kind. This group boasts the title of “Outstanding Enterprise during National Cultural System Reform” and focuses on innovation to bring about its evolution. Gu Xin, chairman of the group reported that in 2011, the operating income was $125 billion Yuan. .
t This mega enterprise consists of a stage centre, a
performing arts college, three theatres, six wholly owned companies, four holding companies and 5 joint stock companies.
If there is a mega enterprise you’d like to share, send us an email at culturalvoice@gmail.com or like us on facebook and post!
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