TFC Energy Kit
And another one!
The alignment has been surreal. I remember back when Kwame and I would engage in a number of conversations about what our work as a creative team would look like—and here we are with another TFC collaboration. Humbled.
This time, we had the opportunity to design a limited-edition bandana that embodied culture, community and the unwavering passion shared by Carnival goers and soccer enthusiasts for TFC’s Energy Kit!. Being given an opportunity to design the ultimate Toronto Carnival accessory was a rewarding, yet challenging experience, and in full transparency, might have been the most challenging project to date. This wasn’t because it was hard to conceptualize the design and subsequent storytelling, but because we were under a pretty tight deadline.
As I reflect, I wanted to take a moment to give Kwame his flowers because I never really understood how challenging the creative process could be. As an artist, creating something meaningful that you can be proud of, which you also hope resonates with your client, is extremely nerve racking. I mean, it’s one thing to create for yourself, friends or family, but creating something that is meant to represent your culture and community—especially for one of the city’s most notable summer events? Admirable, to say the least. The process is to be held in high regard—truly, because once you understand it, you have no choice but to respect it.
So here we were with a limited amount of time to intentionally design this bandana, complementing TFC’s Carnival themed jersey by using the same colours, while also ensuring that the story we told spoke to the energy of Carnival and how it transcends into the BMO Field during a game.
While we went back and forth on a few ideas, again, Kwame was pretty quick in determining what this would look like. Ultimately, we decided to highlight the 4 cultural elements that are responsible for energizing our city during Carnival: song, music, mas and dance.
The song of Carnival rests in two of the most prominent genres of the season—Calypso and Soca. They were modes of communication for enslaved Africans and also served as a way to speak out against injustices and the impact of colonialism. Song is the heart of Carnival.
Carnival music is distinctly recognized as a result of the most notable instrument during this season—the steelpan. As traditional forms of song/storytelling were influenced by this instrument, it represented the resistance, strength and resiliency of enslaved Africans. It is in essence, the metaphorical state of mind for Carnival.
Celebrating their new-found freedom, enslaved Africans created their own masquerade balls and parties in an attempt to reclaim their customs and traditions. As masqueraders bring their costumes to life by embodying its essence and/or spirit, mas is therefore the body of Carnival.
Carnival is nothing without rhythmic body movement. It’s a symbolic form of self-expression that is integral to the experience. Whether you move to the exciting and soothing sounds of the steel pan, calypso and/or soca, dance is the soul of Carnival.
These four elements come together to create an indescribable energy that can only be experienced when one chooses to fully and freely immerse themselves within it.
Feel the rhythm. Feel Carnival.
Canada’s full Emancipation of enslaved Africans occurred in 1838. Our city has commemorated this monumental event since 1967, by celebrating Carnival on the first Saturday of August. 56 years later, Carnival remains an integral component of community building, engagement and empowerment. So, as you go out and enjoy all the sights and sounds this season and beyond—please, remember this story. Remember why we celebrate. Remember the contributions of our forefathers and their allies who paved the way for our freedom in Canada. Remember that their sacrifices should be revered forever. Remember that your identity is rooted in your culture. So, please don’t you ever forget where you came from!
No project is too small or unworthy of celebration, and we are grateful for an opportunity to tell this story, our way—The Blak Brush way. We appreciate everyone who made this possible and we are excited to see everyone waving their bandanas as they celebrate this Carnival season!
— Claudia Appiateng
Chaos with Claudz
A scatterbrained Gemini; welcome to my whirlwind.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the atrocities that have occured all over the world—past and present. The impact of colonialism on our marginalized people, communities and countries serves to remind us all that life simply isn’t fair. Being born into an identity or in a country is the only difference between you reading these words right now, and those who are fighting everyday just to stay alive as they endure sheer cruelty. In this whirlwind, I want to emphasize the importance of awareness. For some, spreading awareness about social issues may not constitute “real change”. However, a gentle reminder: in order to address any social issues, one must first be aware of its existence. There is power in spreading the word, educating the masses and being the voices for the voiceless—it is necessary.
Not to minimize any of the other abominations taking place over the world; I wanted to use this space, at this moment in time, to spread more awareness about the Congo genocide that has existed for decades as a result of conflict over the ownership over rich resources (i.e. cobalt, copper etc.) and land.
I won’t get into the specifics of this dire situation here.
But I will leave you with this, the next time you use your smartphone or tablet, hop in your car, or take a drag from your vape, please remember Congo—remember the people of Congo.
For more information please visit: amnesty.org/en/documents/afr62/3183/2016/en/
Spread the word because knowledge is always power.
