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Cashing in on 'Ivan'

IF YOU WERE in Jamaica between September 10 and 11 then you would have had your personal encounter with Hurricane Ivan. However, for up to $50, you could have another version of the Ivan experience.

When Hurricane Ivan ripped the island, displacing many Jamaicans and destroying personal effects and lives, one Jamaican saw it as an opportunity to improve upon one of his creations from which he earns his income.

"Di people dem love it," Vernal Spence, the creator of the 'Ivan experience', told THE STAR.

The 'Ivan experience' can be viewed through a window at the front of a small doll-sized house which he constructed from plyboard. The house has a patio which runs along the perimeter of the rectangular-like structure.

By slipping on a pair of headphones which he provides and opening the main window, one can have a look. What one sees taking place to the sound of the sexually-explicit lyrics of deejay Vybz Kartel is quite the unexpected.

Basically, the 'Ivan experience', formerly 'the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky', involves a man having sex with a woman to the sound of very suggestive music.

Mr. Spence noted that since he changed the name of the creation to the 'Ivan experience' the curiosity of passersby have increased, and so has his profits.

"When I changed it to Hurricane Ivan some people thought it was the breeze that was going to blow but when they see what is in there it turn out into laughter," he said.

Mr. Spence also produces several other innovative items including a Rastafarian male doll which moves at the sound of his voice or the sound of music. There are also paintings, houses and air-fresheners for homes and cars.

The 43-year-old artist has been actively practising this trade for the past three years and hopes to do even more.

"My greatest desire is to go to Edna Manley and my greatest ambition is to become an architect," he said.

He also hopes to make enough items to sell, but in the meantime curious persons can get their share of the 'Ivan experience' at any of the island's major food festivals or events which he frequents.