And put up an overpass...
(looking to the southwest, the Sauce graffito is back and to the left)My Theme Day posting alluded to these murals and I wish the photographs were better but I only had a short amount of time to shoot and didn't check my ISO setting, it should have been higher. C'est la vie.
The primary importance of these columns is that they're part of the destruction of the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans. Volumes could be and have been written about the unique status of the Tremé neighborhood and how it eventually helped to create and shape jazz culture. Today, it's once vibrant business district is in ruins.
In the 1950's and 1960's large sections were razed and in the 1970's I-10 was routed through it echoing the senseless urbanization of African American communities begun by Robert Moses in New York City in the 1930's. One of the most important figures in modern American history, his influence has reached far and wide and has been felt in virtually every significant urban culture on earth.
I think it's interesting to note that what graffiti is present - you can see it in the lower left hand corner of the banner - doesn't intrude into the mural, it stops just short of it. This community, in an incredibly run-down condition from what we saw during our drive, needs this beauty. Bloom where you're planted?View Larger Map
You can click on the upper right hand corner, the radio button is mostly hidden, to get rid of the directions bubble. I think we were further to the northeast along I-10 than the red flag indicates.
26 comments:
Paula, thank you for posting these photos. I know that this is a blighted area and one in which most people do not walk (under I-10) at night. I have not seen the column murals but will look in a couple of weeks when I am there. The raised interstate highways usually cause a problem in the affected neighborhoods. Thanks for the history lesson. ;-)
Genie
Genie, I can't wait to see your take on The Big Easy. Have a great time and take a lot of pictures!
Very interesting post, Paula. The murals are fantastic and I really enjoyed your history lesson. And your photos aren't bad either : )
I saw some of the TV series on Treme. Stirring.
Thank you for posting these photos. Its more than I've ever seen of this part fo the city.
And I haven't yet received a copy of the show, promised to me by a friend several weeks ago....
To clarify: The show is "Treme" on HBO which I believe is shot entirely in Treme. It's getting good but maybe not great reviews. I want to see it as its made by the same people who did "The Wire."
This is a rich and illuminating post. I've driven on and under this stretch of I 10 a number of times and never paid much attention to the neighborhood. Bloom where you are planted? At least people have the ability to re-pot themselves somewhere else.
Oh come on, better than that? I'm dancing down there.
WV: Matess. I'm turning handsprings.
B, I hope it wasn't too preachy. It is a real testament to the neighborhood - on many levels. The surrounding neighborhood is heart breaking.
B52, I read about it when I was reading up. Looking forward to seeing it - on DVD.
KK, I gotcha.
Bob, there's a cemetery near there. Have you photographed it?
KB, I had to edit and re-edit. They felt a little worn out to me by the time I got done. Nice to know they work.
There are fantastic, Paula! I wish every city would do this!
I have never seen murals on columns like this before, makes for a very interesting work of art.
It's not all about the technical. These are fascinating photos, made even more so by your commentary.
And now I'm singing and hearing Joni Mitchell in my head.
My folks lived in NOLA many, many years ago. I'm sure they would never recognize it now.
I enjoyed the history lesson too. I do think the painted columns look great, a poignant monument of the past.
All of them. Wow. I want to go in and encircle the bases of the pillars with plush velvet cushions. They do resemble those circular seating arrangements in hotel lobbies.
Love these photos. I've been to NO so often and never came across these amazing columns. I need to expand my forays. Also you've got me looking up Treme.
Paula, thanks for the pictorial story and lesson on this section of NO. The link from "these columns" was informative, too.
Hi Paula,
I have been on blogging holiday for such a long time... I have missed too many of your wonderful photos and stories behind them. And I have to catch up with all of them. But I am back and looking forward to browse your blogs again:-)
Just checking in and hope all is well. Sometimes you need a little rest from the more complicated posts as this one was/is
These murals are fantastic. What a great use of otherwise wasted space. Excellent capture.
Darryl and Ruth : )
Paula - I love these - I don't get to "town" much and at first lance I thought they had done this under the Overpass in Pensacola, they are wonderful!
Those are great photos and I love the history. NO has always been one of my favorite places and no matter how often I'm there I still see things I've missed before. I would love to be able to spend a month there just wandering around and soaking it all up.
Just stopped by to wish you a happy Thanksgiving.
Love your newest header and post! Don't love that you don't blog often here anymore.
Had a nice "trip" over your blog. You have very nice photographs here, congratulations!
I'll follow you and also link your page to mine. See you soon!!
Fantastic !! Salut!!
Francesc, Barcelona
http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com
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