Carnival as a Theme in the Performance Gallery 

Performance Gallery was developed at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in response to the excellent collections which relate to performance. The new gallery opened in 2002, and Carnival is one of the eight installations of people in performance from around the world.

The display:

Performance gallery presents the George and the Dragon carnival costume in front of a backdrop of the Parade. George is moving through the Royal Pavilion estate.

The texts:

Performance is about an experience at a particular time. That experience is very different if you are the performer or the spectator.
In writing texts for the gallery we tried to present these very different perspectives for the different performances. We tried where possible to work the direct quotes of performers or spectators or makers into these texts. 

Consider Carnival as Spectator, as Performer, as Maker

Carnival - SPECTATOR

For children, their street parade marks the beginning of the Brighton Festival. In May 2001 this English parade introduced the magic of Caribbean Carnival.

Lining the route, you are drawn to the vibrant costumes of the children. Each is vying for attention and space.

The steel band repeats insistently catchy beats; dancers draw you in from the fringes.

Carnival -  PERFORMER

What is important is how you tell your story, through movement, through your spectacular costume. Performers spare no expense to prepare for Carnival.

'In most countries people pay to see others perform; in the Caribbean they pay to perform' Peter Minshall (Carnival designer).

'You're very aware of yourself. There is a particular way of moving which is associated with calypso and soca, the music of carnival. It's organic and it comes from what people do. When I was a kid I saw my mum and my aunts and I would copy them' Rose Holt (performer).

Carnival  -  MAKER

Why George and the Dragon?
'I've always been fascinated by the Pavilion and Prince George. I had the idea that because he never finished paying for it, it was always a demon-devil on his shoulder, sucking out of him' Rose Holt (artist).

It is satire in the best tradition of Carnival.

Caribbean Carnival has its roots in slavery. Shrove Tuesday was the only day in the year when slaves were allowed to perform. They often used it to satirise their masters.

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