A Haitian Creative on Haitian Creatives by Richard Louissaint

There is almost always this moment between two people of Haitian descent in certain spaces, when they find out they are of the same background. A connection happens, even if for only that moment, that they understand one another and are happy to find each other whether at a workplace or a social gathering. This is what I like to convey in my work, particularly on Haitian subjects, including to those who are not Haitian.
I’m a first generation Haitian-Canadian/American if that makes any sense. Born in Montreal, Quebec and raised in New York City. My upbringing was pretty much as Haitian as they come but with hymns in French and sermons in kreyol replacing, kompas and anything related to Haitian roots culture. But like most kids raised in the U.S. there was this navigating of dual identities where some of us never learned to speak kreyol or never had the chance to visit the place where our parents came from. My art has been my way to figure it all out.
The project, the Haitian Creatives Project, came out of frustration as an artist whose personal life had hit a very rough patch (but also organically through the relationships with the many New York-based Haitian artists I began to document including Zing Experience and Buyu Ambroise.) I needed something to channel the uncertainty I felt at the time into something productive. So I called, nagged, emailed, different painters, actors, musicians, animators, etc., I knew to take their portraits. It was swim or stupor.
It’s been a year since I officially gave it a name. Some of the portraits have been featured in a group show put together by the Haiti Cultural Exchange, and it has evolved into a multimedia exhibition of sorts, with interviews and mini-documentaries. With that, it takes more time and I want to take it somewhere I never thought possible.
An introduction to the Haitian Creatives Project:
From the Screening in September:
The official page: http://richardlouissaint.com/?fluxus_portfolio=haitian-creatives
The mini-documentaries:

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Nuance, Selebrasyon! and my Grandmother’s hands

(The following blog post was submitted by Kassandra Khalil, Program Director, Haiti Cultural Exchange:  http://haiticulturalx.org/)

 

My experience of Haitian culture begins with my grandmother’s hands. Soft like calf leather with strong, deep palm lines and a missing knuckle on her left hand – an accident from her days as a seamstress and a reminder of a hard life. I’ve watched those hands brush my sister’s hair and scrape the bottom of the rice pot with that same cast and pull motion. And there is a clear image in my mind of those hands gathering a long skirt with a quick grab and loud “Humph!” in distaste at my uncle’s off-color humor.

 

The motions of Ma Laborde’s hands, the stories they tell, and the food it taught me to cook amount to so much of what I consider my identity as a Haitian woman. My grandmother connects me to a country with a deep history of revolution, of art, and nature – all things that resonate with me regardless of my Haitian background. What inspired me to focus on Haitian culture was those passive moments – gestures and often minor acts that I found to be so distinctly Haitian and Caribbean.

 

For the past few years, I have been working as the Program Coordinator at Haiti Cultural Exchange, an organization that I feel represents that nuance. Together with Régine Roumain, our community of brilliant supporters, interns, committee members and talented artists, Haiti Cultural Exchange has been able to present programs on art and culture from Haitian and the Diaspora that incite discussion, build community, and acknowledge how wide and diverse Haitian culture really is. Laying into these ideas, HCX strives to give Haiti-identifying artists a space to express their link to their country while sharing their personal creativity and individuality as an artist.

 

As part of this mission, HCX is presenting a six-week festival called Selebrasyon! Placing artists and community in the forefront, Selebrasyon! aims to reinforce intersections inside the Haitian community and will express the multidimensional nature of Haitian Diaspora culture.

 

Taking place in venues all over the city, Selebrasyon! will highlight some of the best new talents and known names in Haitian culture today. These include our Haitian Flag Day Selebrasyon! on May 18th featuring the traditional “rèlkè” of Jocelyn Dorisme beside the neo-blues sounds of Nadïne LaFond as well as  LirikAyiti: Rasin/Chimen on June 8th featuring the hip-hop influenced rhymes of Lenelle Moïse  and the high rhythms of Patrick Sylvain’s  Kreyòl verse.

 

From May 18 to June 30, this city will come to life with over 20 Haitian cultural events that will unite the community and bring generations together to remember, learn, and connect around Haitian culture. This is YOUR festival, I hope to see you there.

 

Check out the official Selebrasyon! Calendar here and see how you can support our ongoing Indiegogo campaign. Special perks  include tickets to Monday Nightcap & Music with Melanie J-B Charles on April 21st , hand-painted tote bags, and original artwork.

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