The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in collaboration with Bravo Arts brought the Castellani National Art Gallery to life on Friday September 9, 2011 with their “Extraterrestrial” Body Art Exhibition. The show started at 16:30hrs and concluded at 19:30hrs, and featured local models and actors beautifully portraying the world of body art. The theme was grabbed from western – created movie phenom “Avatar” and illustrated their characters in the form of painted and shaped creatures. It was an event for the entire family and the small but consistent turnout proved just that.
When the Guyanalive.com team arrived we were greeted a live step – by – step concept of how to create a work of body art. A known model (Rehana Chester) was on display as the Bravo Arts painters showed their skill. She was painted blue and white, with what looked like a hint of gray, while her man made tail, long plaited locks and prolonged handmade nose really brought out the character “Neytiri” from the movie. As we stepped in the local landmark itself, we noticed two rooms filled with alien like characters, craftily made with paint, special effects and other add – ons. Mrs. Chester’s husband, local model Percival Chester, was especially one to watch, since it was somewhat hard to do so. He was camouflaged into the background of cream, with black and purple lines, and only his eyes gave him away. The crowds were thrilled when these lively characters moved and mingled with them. Amidst the screams of young terrified children, one could hear oohs and ahhs in amazement at this exhibition. We even got to rub shoulders with the current Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, while we watched young children get their faces brightly painted.
Even though we constantly pleased by the spectacle there were some glitches the Guyanalive.com team noticed. First, the outdoor aspect of the exhibition seemed somewhat ad hoc. The painted lady was placed outside the tent and if one were to sit they would only be able to see half her body. Also, there were few chairs to accommodate the large families. Most importantly, there was a poignant lack of themed décor for the outdoors. They focused all their attention inside and outside there was a void of signs and atmospheric accents. Then, inside was blisteringly humid. We were in beads of perspiration even though we saw cooling mechanisms. In the future we hope that Bravo Arts utilizes the time allotted more efficiently and that they work on all aspects of the show to make it an entire success. However, in the Guyanalive.com scale we give it a 7 out of a possible 10. Keep on thrilling!
See more pictures from this event at –> GuyanaLive.com Gallery
By – Patrice Wishart