Lunchtime Lecture: Trinidad Carnival, Past & Present

The Carnival in Trinidad is known as the “Mother of all Carnivals.” However, the contemporary ‘Pretty/Bikini Mas’ is now all the rage! So, are we forgetting its true origins? Pennie Mendes will retrace its subversive history, in the 18th century to its “Golden Age '' in the 20thcentury. When the local band leaders and craftspeople created spectacular costumes. Including the "Mas Man" Peter Minshall who became internationally famous, for his revolutionary dancing kinetic cloth sculptures . Which brought him International attention and consequently asked to produce powerful dancing mobiles for many universal events. Such as his choreographed performances at the opening ceremonies of the World Olympics Barcelona 1985 and Atlanta 1992 and the dramatic staging of “Madame Hiroshima” for the opening of the 40th Peace March in Washington DC. 1986.

Pennie Mendes is one of the V&A’s African Heritage and Hidden and Historic Caribbean Volunteer Tour Guides and has worked on Trinidad Carnival in the past.