The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

IN AN exhibition presented by the Central Bank of the Bahamas last Thursday, an international collective of artists came together to showcase recent works in what they called “Plastico Fantastico”.

The group, consisting of artists Maria K Braga, Rafael D’Alo, Ruben Millares, Alex Timchula and Antonia Wright, displayed mediums ranging from photography, video, paintings and sculptures.

The collective began its work last summer, sharing the belief that through art one can open the dialogue and raise awareness of important issues. They are using the Bahamas as a blueprint for the greater world.

The works displayed are results of the artists’ experience of being in the Bahamas while researching some of the group’s ideas and possible direction for the island’s future in the face of environmental and social challenges.

With her parents having lived in the Bahamas for many years, Maria K Braga said she has had the idea of “Plastico Fantastico” for quite some time.

“Everything from the environment and basically the lack of recycling was a big issue; the problem with dolphin captivity was something for me that was personally resonant. Each person brought something new and it was a very organic process where we all came together and had some of the same issues, but interpreted them in different ways,” said Maria.

The “Plastico Fantastico” participants wore fashionable Bahama Hand Prints-inspired shirts made by Maria, which were also part of her artwork.

“I love what they do at Bahama Hand Prints and I was thinking that I could try to transform trash into something beautiful. I combined a few messages together to create a pattern; like plastic bottles, cans, and mixed with that I decided to add messages about saving the dolphins. I think it is important for us in the Bahamas to keep the handicraft that we have and sort of embellish. I use to love to go to the Straw Market, and now I find that more and more things are made out of the country, which is such a sad loss for Bahamian handicraft, because there are so many amazing artisans here,” she said.

Maria said this is the first time she has dabbled in print, and she enjoyed it.

Speaking about another installation in “Plastico Fantastico”, Maria said she stuffed underwater fish with objects she found in Brazil.

As a collaborative, Maria said she is also looking into taking part in Junkanoo to make things for the floats, costumes and instruments out of things that can be recycled.

Artist Antonia Wright said a lot of her pieces are environmental in theme as well. She said plastic is one of the worst materials for the environment and that is why they wanted to embrace it and make it into something beautiful.

“It is always good to have artists from other places come in and showcase works, because it fosters a dialogue and a cultural exchange where we get to talk about our practices and ideas. I think diversity is great for the Bahamian, and any, art community. And then also we are here supporting other artists by going to their shows. We love the Bahamas; it is a very inspiring place,” she said.

For Ruben Millares, creating his “Unclear Crystal Clear” video installation was an unforgettable experience. Last summer, Ruben water-skied around the entire island of New Providence in solidarity for the reefs.

“It was a four-and-a-half hour ride around the whole island. I fell a couple times, but we were able to go past the cruise ships, the ports, a refinery that is out there, and we saw everything, all of the sites. Our group went out there to coordinate the whole theme. We had four cameras on it and did a nice video with different shots and cuts. I crossed it with a nice audio of the 1973 British Open, so I thought it was interesting to play on that, the year of independence of the Bahamas from England. I took that British Open, which is their big tournament and crossed that audio with the waterskiing,” said Ruben.

It was tiring and exhausting, but Ruben said it was nice to be in the Bahamas and collaborate with other people with a common vision to help the county.

“I feel like the Bahamians really need to embrace their culture and save their natural resources. It is a beautiful place and the people are beautiful,” he said.