At The End of The Day It’s About Selling Culture
In New York, Seventh Avenue is preparing for Fashion week even as my local designers’ community is preparing is starting their prom, graduation and Spring Summer 2009; In my native Trinidad they’re 
preparing for Carnival, while in Brooklyn , local merchants are trying to eke out what ever mileage they can from Black History Month and Valentine’s Day. In between I am trying to find time to follow the threads and contribute to the planning of BarCampNYC4 a tech “unconference”. Not to mention working with my mentor on jazz Documentation projects.
Even with 20 hrs a day I can manage to stay on top of it all. At first glance these various groups seemingly have little in common. However underlying it all they are they are simply trying to support themselves and their family doing what they love, what they are passionate about.
The challenge is to get the advanced tech community to see the value of time-worn traditions and appreciate “expertise’ gained not by sending 10,000 “tweets” but working over 10,000 hrs at particular task. On the other hand traditionalist, scoff at new techniques because they are “untested” and created by “young inexprienced” minds. Simalarly Young designers have old ideas but lack the technique of the veterans. Sure their is validity in fears of “stolen legacies” and economic abuse, but open and free interaction can offer so much including the knowledge of how to protect one’s intellectual property and cultural integrity.
Efficient blending of technology, tradition and expertise can not only add extra opportunities but also cut cost as a result of effeciency. What “we” have found is that whether it is fashion or costume design, technology or storytelling, jazz or code the rules and process for creating and income and livelihood are the same. It is because I am fortunate enough to live in such a diverse community that I can access all this great inforation, tools and experise to create and test a program that not only works, but positively affect s life.
Photo credits:Model Stacia Gregorio simulates a “fashion doll” merchandise concept, boxed and “merchandise with” downloadof their chosen “road” Music. The option exist for futher merchandising with ringtones and wallpapers, etc. since each bandmember has a mobile, a Qr code (at the side of the box) can be used to extend the experience with updates, communication and community features. Costume from Rango 2007 Brooklyn Labor day Presentation, “BLUE”.
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