By: Kyle Niblett
London. New York. Toronto. Miami.
No matter where you pinpoint your home on a map across the diaspora, you have most likely seen the bright costumes, heard the beautiful calypso music or felt the positive vibes pulsate through your body.
For University of Florida Assistant Professor of Architecture and Computational Design Vernelle A. A. Noel, however, the world-famous Trinidad Carnival is so much more than a party. For her it is a rich design space that is social, political, technological and historical.
“The Trinidad Carnival, also called Mas’, is a contested design space, political arena and creative outlet through in which individuals and communities express their imagination, innovation and craftsmanship,” Noel said. “Since its reinvention and creation by former slaves in 1834, the Carnival celebrates freedom, and is a vehicle for expressions of creativity and aesthetic sensibilities.”