Interview with Caribbean Artist – Jackie Hinkson – Pt.1

Jackie Hinkson

Jackie Hinkson is an artist who describes himself as “a Trinidadian who spent his childhood and youth with…broad-minded parents and five siblings.” He spent most of his youth in the heart of Port-of-Spain. The urban and extensive early rural experiences left an indelible impression on his mind. Here is a portion of the interview, see below for the entire interview.

Country House, Gran Couva

Architecture Caribbean: Who are your favorite artists (Caribbean and International Artists)?

Jackie Hinkson: There are many and they change from time to time. I am not familiar with the work of Caribbean artists outside of Trinidad. Sadly, there is very little exchange and communication between the Caribbean islands. Locally, in my youth, I greatly admired Sybil Atteck, Leo Basso, MP Alladin and Carlyle Chang. On the local contemporary scene I like the drawings of Eddie Bowen and some of the work of Lisa O’ Connor and Sundiata, and much of the work (particularly their earlier pieces) of the recently deceased James Boodhoo and Boscoe Holder The international artists I admire most (living and dead) are the early Renaissance painters Giotto and Piero della Francesca, the Venetian Titian, the Spaniards Francisco Goya and Diego Velasquez, the French painter Simeon Chardin, the impressionist Paul Cezanne, the American watercolorist Winslow Homer and the American Edward Hopper, to name a few.

Estate Cocoa Dry House

Architecture Caribbean: You were commissioned by the Trinidad & Tobago government in 1982-1985 to produce One Hundred pieces of work showing the “disappearing architecture” of the country, tell us more about this experience.

JH: Perhaps because I grew up in a typically fine example of an early 20^th century wooden, gabled-roof, fretwork ornate house, and perhaps because the humble wooden homes, the shops and barrack yards of Port-of-Spain and the rural and plantation architecture of Trinidad had left such an indelible mark on me, I devoted a large number of years to the capturing the traditional and disappearing architecture of the island. This Government project was an important chapter in this commitment. I traveled throughout the country searching for fine examples of the vernacular architecture and rediscovering many from my childhood experiences in the rural and coastal districts. Importantly, I always felt, when executing these works, that I was trying to do more than just record or chronicle, I was also exploiting these images for their emotional and symbolic potential, to allude perhaps to ideas about age or change or death or decay or simply to pay tribute.

Roadside Vendor, Tobago

AC: What’s the most challenging part of your work?

JH: There are several but if I had to choose one I would say to be completely honest to my vision (in my work) and to be not seduced by any notions, no matter how current or popular, that are not consistent with that vision.

Click here to read Interview Pt. 1>>

Jackie Hinkson’s artwork is rich in detail and recording history. His works on Caribbean architecture are a breath of fresh air, reminds us of days gone by, and serves as a record. It is a reference for our history in architectural detailing and elements of Caribbean architecture. It is valuable because it enables us as architects to find innovative ways to pay homage to our history in our contemporary designs and detailing. What are your opinions of the work of Jackie Hinkson?

Port of Spain International Waterfront – Trinidad & Tobago

Port of Spain Waterfront

The Port of Spain Waterfront originally uploaded by Liam Boodoo

Stay tuned for my analysis of the Port of Spain Waterfront project. In the meanwhile, feel free to read our article on Waterfront Development here>>.

See more images of the Port of Spain Waterfront in our Flickr Album

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National Academy for Performing Arts Center – Video

National Academy for the Performing Arts

Brief video of the National Academy for the Performing Arts Center in Port of Spain, Trinidad (Caribbean).

Read previous Blogs on the Performing Arts Center:
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=85
architecturecaribbean.com/blog/?p=249

Queens Royal College – Port of Spain, Trinidad

Queens Royal College

Queens Royal College originally uploaded by Liam Boodoo

Queens Royal College – Port of Spain, Trinidad. German Renaissance in style. Designed by Daniel M. Hahn. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 11 November 1902. In addition to being one of the historic pieces of architecture in the Caribbean, it has educated some of the best.

These include:

• Eric E. Williams – First Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Caribbean historian
• George Maxwell Richards – President of Trinidad and Tobago.
• Sir Vidia Naipaul – Nobel-prize winning author.
• C.L.R. James – historian, journalist, socialist theorist and essayist
• Peter Minshall – Artist, Costume designer, Emmy Award Winner.
• Richard Thompson – Athlete and 2008 Olympic medalist
• Marc Burns – Athlete and 2008 Olympic medalist

Queens Royal College

It stands strong as a testament to good architecture and good education. What is your architectural critique of Queens Royal College?

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National Academy for the Performing Arts – Trinidad & Tobago – part deux

National Academy for the Performing Arts – Trinidad & Tobago

The National Academy for the Performing Arts is currently under construction in the capital city of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. It will be the permanent home for the development of the Performing Arts, with particular focus on our national instrument, the steel pan, which was born in the 1940’s in Trinidad & Tobago. I applaud such a project in the Caribbean.

There are many opinions about it. I am glad that this project is being executed in Trinidad and Tobago; one that honors the talent and cultural contributions of Trinidad & Tobago to the world. Architecturally, what do you think of it? Some say it’s “out of proportion, ugly, devouring, fantastic, looks like Sydney Opera House, great design.” What is your architectural critique of it?

National Academy for the Performing Arts

I think the scale of the Project deserves a larger site, one with the landscape and site planning to compliment its grandeur. Look at projects like the New Parliament Complex in Canberra, Australia by Mitchell/Giurgola and Thorp. The building actually occupies only 15% of the site. There is a grand promenade and procession to the complex.

The Performing Arts Academy in Trinidad & Tobago is not able to have a dramatic procession with views and glimpses of it as you approach because of its site location. There is no procession…no approach, just an arrival. These factors are necessary in grand architecture I think. Driving around the Queens Park Savannah you see it, but again, that is not an approach, nor a procession. What if we built an island just for the National Academy for the Performing Arts? That is not impossible…costly, but not impossible. This was done in Sri Lanka for the Parliament building. A swampy site was dredged to create an island at the center of a vast artificial lake for the Parliament designed by Geoffrey Bawa. You notice the need for the scale of the site to match the scale and importance of the building.

How dramatic would it be to have to drive or walk along a grand promenade to the National Academy. The procession to it and catching glimpses of it would itself be a show, a build up to what was inside. I think this project needed or missed out on the opportunity for drama and the procession to it also being an event. In summary, congratulations to Trinidad & Tobago for a much needed facility, it’s about time! Architecturally, there is always room for improvement.

What do you think about the National Academy for the Performing Arts?

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National Academy for the Performing Arts – Trinidad & Tobago

National Academy for the Performing Arts - Trinidad

Project Information
Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad
Design & Build – Shanghai Construction Group
Project Managers – UDeCOTT
Estimated Cost – US$60 million
Executing Agency – Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs

The National Academy for the Performing Arts is currently under construction in the capital city of Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. It will be the permanent home for the development of the Performing Arts, with particular focus on our national instrument, the steel pan, which was born in the 1940’s in Trinidad & Tobago. It is the only acoustic musical instrument invented during the 20th century. Besides the steelpan, Trinidad and Tobago is also the birthplace of calypso (music). The steel pan developed from a “rustic invention of the urban poor into an astonishingly versatile musical instrument, a transformation that for many Trinidadians symbolizes their progress from colony to independent nation.” (Dudley, Shannon. 2002).

National Academy for the Performing Arts

The architectural design of the Academy is reminiscent of the Chaconia, the national flower of Trinidad and Tobago. The grand building will rise up to 100 feet enhancing the state-of-the-art acoustics, and offering an inspirational setting for the enjoyment and training of the performance arts.

The 429,093 sq. ft. facility will feature:

• A 1500 seat acoustically designed performance hall
• Two practice halls
• Teaching rooms
• State of the art lighting and sound features
• Stages designed to showcase pannists and other performance artistes
• A hotel (for visiting performers)
• Parking and
• Landscaped surroundings including seating areas, water features and greenery.

Academy of Performance Arts (under construction)

Having visited the site, I am impressed with the scale and the design of the project thus far. I applaud the commitment to support the Arts by providing a spectacular home for them. I see this project as an opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to promote Cultural Tourism. A growing number of tourists are forsaking the Mediterranean beaches for the palm-fringed delights of Asia and the Caribbean.

What is Cultural Tourism? It is defined as ‘the movement of persons to cultural attractions away from their normal place of residence, with the intention to gather new information and experiences to satisfy their cultural needs’ (Richards, G. 1996). It is an “important way to celebrate, preserve and promote a state’s unique heritage, increase opportunities for artists, promote public arts participation and boost economic development” according to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. I look forward to the completion, and more importantly, the putting to use of the Academy as it sets the stage for cultural projects, and becomes the stage on which we promote this part of our culture.
…more images

References

Noel, Vernelle. A New Parliament Complex for Trinidad & Tobago: The Architecture of the Calypso Culture. Diss. Howard University, December 2006.

Dudley, Shannon. The Steelband “Own Tune”: Nationalism, Festivity, and Musical Strategies in Trinidad’s Panorama Competition; Black Music Research Journal, Vol. 22, 2002.

Sankar, Celia. Soaring Scales of the Silver Basin; Americas (English Edition), Vol. 49, July-August 1997.

Richards, G. Cultural Tourism in Europe. CABI, Wallingford 1996.

http://www.udecott.com/index.php/cc/cc_project_item/national_academy_for_the_performing_arts_port_of_spain/

http://www.nasaa-arts.org/artworks/ct_contents.shtml

http://guardian.co.tt