BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Rodney Valentine, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, visited the "J'Ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience" exhibition at the Armory in Crown Heights, Brooklyn on Thursday, immersing himself in the rich tapestry of Caribbean Carnival traditions.
For Valentine, this was his first time experiencing the exhibit. "Very insightful, it has a lot of background information on, basically, the origins of carnivals that happened around the world," remarked Valentine as he navigated through the displays.
The exhibit highlights the story of how J'Ouvert, the iconic Caribbean Carnival celebration, was developed, offering visitors like Valentine a comprehensive understanding of this tradition's origins.
"I grew up watching carnivals and watching Mas and different avenues like that. So I think now that there's an exhibit that kind of displays some of the history of the actual carnival itself that can be transcended down to generations," shared Valentine.
The exhibition boasts an impressive collection of authentic artifacts and garments from various eras, providing a tangible connection to J'Ouvert's storied past.
Sandra Bell, the head curator of the exhibit, emphasized that despite the outward festive carnival celebrations we see today, there is a profound backstory of struggle and even loss of life that shaped these traditions over time.
"J'Ouvert was sanctioned, was official in 1881 because of those riots, the burning of those cane fields," Bell stated, tracing the tumultuous path that led to the official recognition of J'Ouvert celebrations.
"What you see now, one would never think that it came out of resistance and resilience and a fight, many people died. You just think oh people are in the streets dancing and whining and carrying on and having a good time. No, it comes from hell," she added, delving into the pivotal events that shaped J'Ouvert's origins.
As Valentine continued to immerse himself in the history and traditions on display, he couldn't help but reflect on the significance of preserving these narratives. "I think it's important for the story to be told and continue to be told," emphasized Valentine.
The "J'Ouvert Genesis Immersive Experience" exhibition will be on display at the Armory in Brooklyn until Saturday, June 15.
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