Pa ka tann?!
Art souterrain Festival (2023) – Place Ville-Marie, Montreal, Canada
Photos: Mike Patten
A culture common to all the Caribbean islands, the sound system was born under British colonial rule. It was created in response to the exclusion suffered by disadvantaged populations in Kingston, Jamaica, both in terms of access to dance halls and the broadcasting of their music on the radio. This installation pays tribute to one of its pioneers, the Chinese-Jamaican Thomas Wong. Wong's mobile sound system, “Tom the Great Sebastian,” is considered the ancestor of today's sound systems, which continue to resist the system even now. In a way, he is the father of our impromptu outdoor parties, boomboxes, and other Bluetooth speakers. The installation, “Pa ka tann?!”, showcases the Caribbean's contribution to the world. It lists the main Caribbean music genres and plays playlists reflecting the musical tastes of the festival's artists.
Conte de faits
