V.2 Intangible heritage, living memories

Lo Calzo, Nicola (1979) collection particulière de l'artiste

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These young members of the Mas Ka Klé group are perpetuating an image of the “maroon” slave communities, by participating in an almost military march alongside the official carnival parade. By re-appropriating whips – the attribute of the colonial oppressor – the members of Mas Ka Klé reverse the violence of history to symbolically leave their mark on people’s imaginations. What goes around comes around...

LO CALZO, Nicola (1979-)
Young whippers training before the carnival
Cité le Raizet, Les Abymes, Guadeloupe, 2020
FineArt pigment print - Hahnemühle Baryta paper
Private collection of the artist

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Made official in 1862, La Caridad d'Oriente has existed in reality since the arrival of enslaved Haitian Creoles with the French planters fleeing the uprisings in Santo Domingo – which led to Haiti’s independence in 1804. Its members are the custodians of a dance called “tumba francesa” (French drum), a cross between a French ballroom dance and the drumming rhythms imported from Dahomey.

LO CALZO, Nicola (1979-)
Iliana, member of Tumba Francesa
La Caridad de Oriente Santiago, Cuba, 2016
Fine art pigment print - HAHNEMÜHLE Baryta paper
Private collection of the artist

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Members of the reenactment society “Movement for the Success of the Image of the Heroes of the Independence”, Destiné Marcellus and Adrien Jean Saint Vil embody here two heroes from the Haitian revolution: the revolutionary who became emperor of Haiti and the army colonel who tried in vain to protect him during his assassination in 1806. This memory – which the twenty members of this society reincarnate – is still very much alive on the island. During festivities and public events, they travel through the poor neighborhoods to revive the pride and joy of the revolution. The crowd cheers for these new heroes who even take on the names of the historical figures they play.

LO CALZO, Nicola (1979-)
Destiné Marcellus, aka Jean Jacques Dessalines and Adrien Jean Saint Vil, aka Charlotin Marcadieu
Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, 2013
Fine art pigment print - HAHNEMÜHLE Baryta paper
Musées Beauvoisine, Réunion des Musées Métropolitains