Thank God for the private sector, which, again, is putting a lot on the line [see: time, money, passion] in order to help make New Orleans relevant again, first as a city and also as a hub for creativity.

This coming winter, Prospect.1 New Orleans will be the first biennial in New Orleans and, will likely be the largest “international exhibition of contemporary art ever presented in the United States.” Curator Dan Cameron [of the New Museum] has boldly assumed the reigns of this project, culling talent from 75 artists [TBA soon] around the world. That being said, this biennial will be a huge undertaking, demanding a large deal of coordination between local public institutions [both art and other civic forces], local & regional galleries and artists, as well as the local tourist marketing entities.

We really hope this project [and its renewal in two years] will be as successful as possible, and will be down there in the December to report on the art and its impact. Oh, and there is no price for admission in the biennial during its two month run.

This past Friday, I had the pleasure of attending Waiting for Godot [presented by the Classical Theatre of Harlem and Creative Time] in the Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans. The turnout was gigantic and unfortunately droves of people had to be turned away.

The performance was free, and the people at Creative Time created a ‘Shadow Fund,’ matching the production budget dollar-for dollar, giving local organizations ‘rebuilding support in the neighborhoods where the play is presented.’ After hustling my way to a ticket, I entered the abandoned, overgrown lawn where a gumbo reception was taking place. Soon after, The Big 9 Social Aid and Pleasure Club led the scores of locals to the staging area, complete with a traditional second line.

What followed was an accessible, humorous, stirring rendition of the Beckett classic. The entire case [Wendell Pierce, J Kyle Manzay, T. Ryder Smith, & Mark McLaughlin] were stellar. The entire stage was set outdoors, most likely where a building stood several years ago. The levee loomed in the background, framed by oak trees.  An occasional boat or train could be heard moaning in the distance, and the night air became gradually cooler as the desperation of the characters mounted.

Outside of the punning poignancy of the concept of the play [the characters are waiting in vain for a person, friend, deity, savior that isn’t coming or maybe doesn’t even exist — like so many stranded Gulf Coast residents during Katrina], the play was enthusiastically attended and was ultimately commissioned unselfishly by an outside artists’ organization with dueling creative and philanthropic goals.

The play will be staged this coming weekend [November 9 & 10] in the Gentilly area.  Please visit creativetime.org for more.

Some photos I took

[Detail of Build,  Oil on paper mounted on wood 29.5″x21″]

Above is one of the new images from Keith Perelli’s ‘Return,’ which is up now and opens officially tomorrow evening [Saturday, Sept. 8] from 6-9pm.  Below, I’ve selected a favorite image of my own from each of Perelli’s bodies of work for you to enjoy.  Please click on the name of the series to see the rest in each collection and to read about the  process from the artist himself.  See you tomorrow night.

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Model Operations - 1993

[NFE - 4U diagram #3]

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Myso-Physio-Grams 1994-95

[Myso-Physio-Grams detail]

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Skein - 1996-98

[Porcelain Head Relinquishing Tigermilk Panties, 36″x52″Oil on canvas]
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Our Fathers’ Gifts - 1999

[Distill, 22″x30″ Oil on canvas]

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Limbo - 2000-01 

[Cleansing the Poisoned Gills, 44″x36″ Oil on Canvas, 2000]

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Structures -  2001-02

[Tightrope, 54″x68″ Oil on canvas]

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Homeland 2003

[Perelli working on Shield, Oil on Aluminum]

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Empire 2004-05

[Pink Colony - Oil on wood, 2005]

I decided to round up, as there thankfully has been a good amount written about Katrina-affected areas because of the storm’s 2 year annivesary, some news links as a progress report on different aspects of specifically New Orleanian life & culture.

School Openings [2007 v. 2006]

Xavier Professor/Sculptor John T. Scott’s Death

Horisaki’s Shotgun House Transportation & Other Reflections

Decline in New Orleans Musicians

Katrina Through the Eyes of Chilrdren [now on view at the NOMA]

‘Katrina and the Progress of the System’

Support the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts [NOCCA - where I attended and where Keith Perelli continues to teach]

Arts Fair for Handicapped

These are just a few; please feel free to add anything you find.

There’s a newly posted video of an interview with upcoming Found artist Keith Perelli [with a radio interview from 2003].

Watch here.

This just in from the Jeff ‘Pudgy’ Glaser, reporting that the Classical Theater of Harlem is planning to stage ‘Waiting for Godot’ this Fall on the streets of the Lower 9th Ward in New Orleans. I’ve never heard of anything like this. Must read:

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