Waterloo Arts Center Adventure!

Well, to make a long story short, my visit to the Waterloo Arts Center was very interesting.  Since I have time to blog though, I'll give you the long story!  The only day I was able to visit the arts center was a week ago today(Sunday).  The Waterloo Arts Center isn't open on Mondays and I was gone the rest of the week for a conference.  Unfortunately though, I felt very sick on that Sunday.  I muscled up though and went anyway.  On the way there I unfortunately got even sicker and had to make a pit-stop outside of a bank(it was the closest place and I HAD to stop!) to, pardon me if this makes you queasy... throw up.  I couldn't hold it in!  After this little... incident... I felt much better and was able to proceed on to the arts center.  I still didn't feel excellent but I was able to make it through the exhibit.  While this may not be important to the arts center or Haitian Art, I feel the need to pre-curse my blog with this to explain why I, unfortunately, didn't get to spend as much time looking around as I would have liked.  Plus, I think it's really funny now looking back on it because I was throwing up in some random bushes... I feel really bad for that bank.

So, anyway, the biggest thing that I noticed was the detail that I hadn't seen before in the drapos.  Looking at them on the projector in class does no justice to them.  All of the intricate details with the sequins and beads is very impressive.  I brought a friend along with me and we kept marveling at how much time and effort that would need to be put into these.  My friend, who had never(knowingly) seen Haitian Art before asked me why they would put so much effort into these objects.  I felt very knowledgeable when I explained to her that these were religious objects used for rituals and honoring the Lwa.  

I personally enjoyed the sculptures from Haitian Art.  I'm someone who tends to be drawn to three-dimensional objects (interestingly enough since my emphasis is graphic design).  My friend and I both noticed the use of birds through most of these sculptures.  I was not able to remember what the birds signified and was unsuccessful in finding what they mean.  I do remember that the use of snakes often refer to Danbala.  Danbala is a deity that is often related with water and wisdom.  Crossroads are often used in Drapos as well, of course symbolizing the connection between the afterlife and this world.

As much as an "adventure" this trip was, I really was bummed that I was sick because I was not able to focus and appreciate the art as well as I would have liked to.  I have decided that in the future I want to go back to look at the Haitian exhibit as well as the rest of the arts center so that I am able to take the time that I would like to and absorb all the art has to offer.  Especially the kids area! That looked really fun.