NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
Interest and participation in the Notting Hill Carnival (NHC) have grown year on year since its inception in the 1960s. It is now considered integral to the London Annual Cultural Calendar, yet there has been little in the way of a photo-journalistic or social photography / coffee table book to respond to the growing interest and appreciation of carnival as an art form. Nor is there a plethora of literature to augment the emerging academic / research interest in Carnival as a concept for multi-cultural and community integration. At least one London further education institute offers a course dedicated to the carnival themes and social value. Additionally, it is now a part of the English primary school curriculum. The market for both qualitative literature and artistic representation of Carnival in photographic works is far from saturated.
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The objective behind ‘In Focus’ is to address both these market gaps. Primarily the ‘In Focus’ book will be an artistic rendition of the Notting Hill Carnival as represented by a selection of photographs from the 10,000+ strong collection taken by British photo-journalist Omar El-Houni from 1990 to 2016.
CARNIVAL PIONEERS
To accompany and enhance the visual experience, the ‘In Focus’ book will offer textual abstracts from previously unpublished interviews with some of the NHC ‘greats’ including Russell Henderson (Steelpan Musician), Lawrence Noel (Designer), Vernon Fellows Williams (Designer), Lincoln Rahamut (Designer) and Lord Eric-Sugumgo (Musician).
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The aim of the book and the touring exhibition are to inform and educate people in Britain and throughout Europe about the history, traditions, music, costumes, art and culture of Carnival.
There will be a Touring Exhibition in London, other UK cities, and potentially European cities such as Dublin, Paris, and Rotterdam. The exhibition tour is planned to take place just before the carnival in these cities.
Jean Bernard
