New York: Pointed Leaf Press, Date: 2004. color plates, ports., illust. endpapers, color pict. boards, color pict. d.j. Contemporary artist Laura Anderson Barbata's (Sinaloa, Mexico 1958, lives and works in Brooklyn and Mexico City) work uses art and performance to encourage social justice by documenting traditions and involving communities in her practice. In 2002, while working as an artist-in-residence in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbata was introduced to the founder of the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture in Port-of-Spain. The school hosted an after school stilt dancing program open to all kids, intended to keep children out of trouble while also engaging them in the cultural tradition of stilt dancing to prepare for the annual NCBA Junior Carnival Parade. Barbata worked with Keylemanjahro for 5 years alongside the students and parents to create costumes for their performances. The group worked with little to no resources and relied exclusively on the help of parents in the neighborhood. The children had been creating their costumes by painting their bodies with toxic house paint. Additionally, students participated in carnival with the same presentation every year, which excluded them from competing for character awards. Barbata suggest that the children could develop and create their own costumes to learn about the environment and other cultures, and worked with Keylemanjahro to discuss possible themes and design of characters for the kids to portray and compete. ...

Pointed Leaf Press, Date: 2004-11-01. First Edition. hardcover. Very Good. 9x0x13. Signed. Pointed Leaf Press, 2004. Hard cover, first edition. The top edge of the page block has the tiniest bit of waviness from moisture, otherwise VG condition in VG dust jacket. Appears to be signed and inscribed by author but cannot confirm this. 2004. Pointed Leaf Press ISBN 0972766138 9780972766135 [US]