Signs of Life: Subcultures of New Orleans Post-Katrina

SIGNS OF LIFE: Subcultures of New Orleans Post-Katrina

An exhibition of new New Orleans Photographs by Charles Silver - July 4 to August 9, 2008 - Reception Friday July 11th, 6 - 8 P.M.

As the third anniversary of hurricane Katrina approaches these photographs represent the starting point for an ongoing project documenting local subcultures of New Orleans in the post-Katrina environment. Currently the project is mainly concentrated on some of the African American cultural traditions that are unique to New Orleans. Several sets of subjects are represented:

The grouping entitled Shadows and Spirits documents a relatively unknown aspect of Mardi Gras celebrations from the parallel traditions practiced in the Carnaval Noir/Black Carnival of the New Orleans African American community. This set features images of one of the oldest masked parading groups of Mardi Gras, The North Side Skull and Bones Gang, which dates from 1819. Included in this set are images of a "call out", a call and response exchange between members of the Bone Gang and the community.

Related subjects include the brass band and jazz band traditions as embodied by the Treme Brass Band, some images representative of the Black Indian 'tribes' of New Orleans more popularly known as Mardi Gras Indians.

Also included are images from the Mardi Gras celebrations of the Gay community in the area of the 800 block of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter and, finally, a few other images related to New Orleans as a place rather than to any particular subculture.

PS: August 1, 2008 - First Friday at 7 P.M.:

There will be a Free Showing of the hour long documentary 'All On A Mardi Gras Day' by Royce Osborn. This film traces the origin and history of the African American Carnival traditions of New Orleans.

• < Previous Event
• Next Event >

Comment

Comment by Charles Silver on July 12, 2008 at 9:40am

No problem, Ryan. It was very nice and I got to see friends and meet great new people. I hope you get to the film after the Art Cars, it will be good to see you !

Comment by Ryan Armbrust on July 12, 2008 at 7:38am

Sorry I missed it, had a prier engagement. Maybe I will see you there for the film?

Comment by Charles Silver on July 11, 2008 at 10:40pm

Thanks to all who came by !

I hope to see you and more at the Free Film on August 1st !

Comment by Charles Silver on July 11, 2008 at 4:03pm

Thank you, I hope you can make it !

Comment by Milton Nash on July 11, 2008 at 2:06pm

Thanks for the reminder.

Comment by Charles Silver on July 11, 2008 at 12:43pm

I hope to see/meet some of you at the opening reception later today. It will be the first chance I'll have to see the show.

BIG THANKS to all of my friends in NOLA ! and, in Louisville:

BIG THANKS to John Begley and Bruce Linn at the Cressman Center Gallery as well as O.J. Connell, Paul Paletti, Ryan Armbrust and a long list of folks who help make things happen.

Comment by Charles Silver on June 30, 2008 at 7:40pm

Southeast corner of 1st and Main. It will be good to meet/see you and everyone else who attends. Thanks

Comment by Jacob Zimmer on June 30, 2008 at 3:25pm

Oh, well, I would certainly not think of promoting my own work at someone else's show. I put the date on my calendar. That location is the lower level of the parking garage across from Humana, right?

Comment by Charles Silver on May 31, 2008 at 8:45pm

Hi Jacob. This is a solo show and I don't know what they may be planning for future exhibits. If I had my way there would be more coverage of New Orleans in all types of venues.

Comment by Jacob Zimmer on May 31, 2008 at 7:07pm

Are they looking for submissions? I took a lot of pics on my visit last summer. PS: I am a Katrina evacuee.