Get in Line: A rare second line exhibition premieres in New Orleans.
Presented through a Community Partner grant from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation, an exhibition featuring the contemporary works of several New Orleans photographers is now on view at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation Gallery through Dec. 18. Preserving New Orleans Second Line Culture features contemporary works by Judy Cooper, L.J. Goldstein, Brad Edelman, Charles M. Lovell, Jerry Moran, M.J. Mastogiavanni, Leslie Parr (more than 30 of their works will be on view); historical work by Michael P. Smith and Jules Cahn from the Historic New Orleans Collection; and historical work by John Messina and Eric Waters from the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation Collection.
While there have been a few solo exhibitions on the subject of New Orleans second lines, no dynamic group exhibitions have taken place during the past 10 years. The history of New Orleans second lines — and social aid and pleasure clubs — is directly linked to traditions of African American cultural practices, including brass bands, jazz funerals and African dances that date back over two centuries to Sunday celebrations in Congo Square. The exhibition aims to provide a greater understanding of the importance of these rich cultural traditions. Be sure to catch the opening reception Nov. 12 from 6-9 p.m. 1205 Rampart St.
Horsing Around: Louisiana artist Tami Curtis creates 12 paintings of the New Orleans City Park Carousel flying horses.
The City Park Carousel that we all love so much is the oldest ride in the Hines Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and one of only 100 hand-carved carousels still operating in the United States. In order to preserve this beautiful attraction, Louisiana artist Tami Curtis Ellis has created 12 paintings of 12 flying horses: 50 percent of all proceeds from a Nov. 3 exhibition and 50 percent of all future sales will benefit the Carousel Endowment Fund for ongoing restoration and maintenance.
Before New Orleans artist Robert Guthrie unexpectedly passed away, he encouraged Curtis, his longtime friend, to join him in supporting New Orleans City Park by painting scenes from the park and holding a benefit to help sustain its historic beauty. Curtis decided to do just that, and she collaborated with New Orleans City Park to create 12 vibrant original paintings of the Flying Horses (as locals call the vintage steeds).
Curtis first photographed the horses and then took to painting what she describes as “the most technically challenging things I have ever created.” She also asked locals for memories and quotes to incorporate into the paintings. During the entire process, she discovered the craftsmanship and love that went into creating each individual carousel horse. “Their anatomy and the exaggeration of their emotional power are no less impressive than any Italian marble sculpture I have ever seen,” Curtis says. Tami Curtis Gallery, 5523 Magazine St., (985) 789-2214, tamicurtisstudios.com
Flying Horses Fun Facts
The carousel dates back to 1906, but some of the animal figures date back to 1885.
The Carousel contains 56 animals and 53 are horses.
The animals were carved and hand painted by Charles Looff and Charles Carmel.
The Looff animal figures contain faux gem stones and are the older than the Carmel animals.
The horses have real horse hair tails.
Thirty of the horses move up and down and are called “flyers” (thus the Flying Horses nickname).
The Carousel still uses the original motor.
The animals need repainting every year to 2 years — they are still hand painted.
Power & Prestige: A new exhibition celebrates the life of Napoléon — the legendary soldier, statesman and conquerer.
Now on view through Jan. 7, M.S. Rau Antiques is hosting a comprehensive exhibition called Napoléon: General. Emperor. Legend. at its French Quarter gallery. Bill Rau, the owner of the gallery, has one of the finest collections of Napoleonic offerings in the country. The free show features some very unusual items, including a Dromedaires Camel Saddle ($19,850) used during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaigns, his Footbath ($24,500) used while in exile, a First Edition of William Sloane’s Life of Napoleon ($34,000) and even the Bronze Death Mask ($34,500) commissioned by Dr. Francesco Antommarchi, Napoleon’s personal physician and companion.
Overall, the items on exhibit explore the best of Napoléonic art and design that together reveal the imperial style championed by the Emperor during his reign in France. The exhibition reveals how Napoléon effectively used art and design to cultivate an image of power. 630 Royal St., (888) 557-2406, rauantiques.com