From: Bill Marsh (redcloud54@earthlink.net)
Date: 08/14/03-01:41:32 AM Z
Congratulations, Bob.
Bill
Bob Kiss wrote:
> DEAR LIST,
> I have recently received a grant from the Barbados National Art Gallery
> Committee. It is just enough to pay for 8X10 Tri-x film, 100% cotton paper,
> platinum/palladium salts and related chemistry to print 100 prints of
> Chattel Houses. These little houses are an interesting and concrete
> manifestation of Emancipation in the British Colonies (which occurred 40
> years before the U.S.). The term "chattel" (as anyone who has ever held a
> mortgage knows) refers to real property. In Barbados it refers to a small
> "salt box" house wholly owned by the occupant who does NOT own the land.
> It was a source of pride for those of African descent to own their own
> homes which they could not do before Emancipation. The houses are set up on
> coral stones with no foundations because
> they were moved by the owner whenever they took new employment at a new
> plantation or factory. Originally they were moved on flat carts pulled by
> donkeys. They are still moved on flat bed trucks when necessary. Many
> Chattel House dwellers now own their land and put down more solid
> foundations but there are still many who lease the land. If a dweller wants
> more room the houses are "ganged" together in a modular fashion.
> These houses are miniature copies of Georgian designs. At first glance
> they appear "cookie cutter" replications. Upon closer inspection one sees
> so many varied details that are manifestations of the spirit of the dwellers
> who strove to individualize their homes. In a way these photos are indirect
> portraits of the inhabitants of the houses and of the struggle for
> acceptable individuality in an extremely conformist society.
> I had an introductory gallery show of about 20 of these houses in March
> and that
> is what got me the grant. Since then two of the houses in the show
> have been demolished. I have a very serious sense of urgency to capture
> these little architectural gems before they are gone.
> I want to thank (not in order of importance but according to my midlife
> memory) Eric Neilson, Melody Bostic, Richard Sullivan, Dick Arentz, Judy
> Seigel (and WJPFP), and Gordon Hutchins who have taken time to answer my
> e-mailed questions and all on this list who have ever posted a question or
> answer related to Pt/Pd printing since 1998. Of course I am indebted to
> Louis Nadeau, Christopher James, Carl Weese, and Webb & Reed for the
> information in their wonderful books.
> There are nearly 1,000 Chattel houses in Barbados. May I live long
> enough (and may the NAGC continue to renew my grant long enough) for me to
> photograph them all. When I have them on my website I will notify the list.
> In the interim, thanks again for being such a wonderful source of
> information. Very much like a family we have our rapports and rancor but
> love of what we do keeps us in touch.
> CHEERS FROM BARBADOS!
> BOB
> PS: Anyone got a Nu-Arc table top model Metal Halide plate burner with
> integrator that they might be willing to ship to Barbados? I have a WHOLE
> LOT of prints to make!!!
>
> Please check out my website:
> www.bobkiss.com
>
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