The iSTREET Lab

The UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Office and JNC-UNESCO were proud to host the Minister of Transport and Works, Michael Henry, and artist Mervin Jarman as he presented his new street art initiative, the iStreet Lab.

This unique lab, located inside a garbage pail, is a mobile multimedia centre to be used on street corners in marginalized communities. The pail contains equipment to deliver workshops in digital music and video production, interactive programming, and graphic or website design.

Jarman says the iStreet Lab was developed from his earlier multimedia initiative, The Container Project, now in its fifth year.

This computer lab located inside a 40-feet shipping container in the community of Palmers Cross, Clarendon, allows at-risk youth to learn about communications and information technology in an educational environment.

Jarman’s students have also designed an online representation of the Container through a program known as Second Life.

As Jarman explained, this is a virtual space to share stories, music, and artwork from the community of Palmers Cross. He said technology like this can be used to market Jamaican culture world wide.