This is how the cover of the Prospect 1 map describes the city-wide exhibition on view in New Orleans. Only three years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina hit the city, the biennial aims to revitalize New Orleans and affirm it as a vibrant locale for the arts. I was lucky enough to view the exhibition in person and experience not only the impressive array of works, but also the efforts of the people of New Orleans to rebuild their homes, neighborhoods, and lives.My trip to the Lower Ninth Ward had most profound effect on me. Here are a couple of highlights:
Leandro Erlich, Window and Ladder: Too Late for Help
The title of this work and its placement in neighborhood that suffered the most destruction evoke the unspeakable loss of life and land. The levee that broke is ominously visible in the distance. Our tour guide indicated that the water was over head-level within five minutes of the levee’s failure.
Wangechi Mutu, Mrs. Sarah’s House
With her work, Mutu comments on the number of people who preyed upon the victims of the hurricane. There is an actual “Mrs. Sarah.” With all of the money she had left, she paid a contractor to rebuild the home she lost in the flooding. The contractor poured a faulty foundation and then disappeared with the rest of her money. Mutu’s work, installed on this same piece of property, outlines the framework of the house that was never built.
Nari Ward, Diamond Gym
For me, Diamond Gym evoked memories of Sebastian Hungerer and Rainer Kehres’ installation in the Spring Avenue Church, which was part of our exhibition The Light Project. Just as Hungerer and Kehres worked within the space of a church destroyed by fire, Ward installs his piece in the Battle Ground Baptist Church, a structure thoroughly damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The experience of the exhibition and city is hard to summarize in a blog post. It was inspiring to see what the organizers were able to accomplish, however, and it helps frame how I begin to think about future outdoor projects at the Pulitzer. Although the show closed this past weekend, their website is still live and the catalogue is available for purchase. And, keep in mind, Prospect 2 will be coming to New Orleans in 2010 …