"Mi Casa Yo
Casa"
The theme of houses are consistent throughout Dean Arlen’s upcoming exhibition ‘Mi Casa Yo Casa: Plans for Resettlement’ opening at CCA7, a Centre for Contemporary Arts on Friday 26th April 2002. The exhibition runs until 22nd June 2002. For Arlen, the symbol of the house represents "the heartland of the social, political and economic grid. The house is a centerpiece for spiritual and social reform activity". He says "we need a design for construction which allows for free form. A house is not only about shelter".
Layout and design of houses have typically been an illustration of status in Trinidad. Yet there is no difference between the Miami-styled housing projects of Westmoorings and those in Maloney Gardens - tightly spaced and designed like packing boxes. Arlen investigates the Trini-creole-architectural-didatic that will ennoble and validate our culture, our people, without the "red, white and blue" theology.
The house as an icon is graphically represented as a basic outline. Sometimes the same icon is used repetitively, illustrating the closeness with which modern building blocks are currently built, such as in Trincity. Arlen, who grew up in the first set of patio houses designed by Colin Laird, commented that those houses "attempted to marry environment with architecture". Unfortunately that trend has not continued with the newer developments. Many of his pieces use the Northern Range as a recurrent element in the background, incorporating the land into the work. The graphic cubes contrast sharply against the organic scenery.
A panel discussion on ‘Plans for Resettlement’ will be held on Thursday 23rd May at 6.30pm. The panel will include Arlen, Sean Leonard – Moderator (architect), Rubadiri Victor (multi-media artist), Ivan Laughlin (architect) and John Stollmeyer (conservationist/artist). This is a free event and all are welcome
‘Mi Casa, Yo
Casa’ was part of CCA’s continuous programme of exhibitions in the
Main Gallery at CCA7 from 26th April to 10th July 2002.