LOVE her work and cannot wait for the book.
Category Archives: artists
Lavender Interview
A perceptive and sensitive interview with New Orleans poet/publisher Bill Lavender.
What’s involved here is the very same bias that Zizek speaks of in “The Subject Supposed to Loot and Rape,” his article on the national perception of New Orleans in the wake of Katrina. Or, as Deleuze put it, “If you’re trapped in the dream of the Other, you’re fucked.” We in the South have been trapped in some New Yorker’s dream for some time now. The stereotype has actually gotten worse, I think, in recent times, as the cultural hegemony of New York and California have been eroding and they scramble to bolster the pretense that they still matter…
…The New Orleans scene has waxed and waned since I’ve been involved in it, and the political and generally extra-aesthetic forces that have shaped it would make a very interesting study…. The reason, I think, that MFA programs have flourished to the point of overpopulation of late is that they have attempted to recreate real artistic movements, with the comradery and passion and competitiveness of a real scene but within the artificial environment of the university. MFA programs represent the disneyfication of writing. They are simulacra of real artistic discovery, available only with a paid ticket. It isn’t that nothing good goes on in them (I’ve taught in and directed one myself), but a real movement can only happen outside this system, in the political and economic “real world.”
Source: Lavender Ink Interview | Jacket2
Newcomb Pottery exhibit
Update for 2015: Still up as an exhibit; if you haven’t seen it, I recommend it heartily. And now you can have lunch afterwards at Petit Amelie right across the street, which is the most beautiful cafe in the Quarter.
(original 2012 post)
Over a sunny lunch hour, I dragged my 1970s Crescent folding bike out from behind the lawnmower (been raining a lot lately is my only excuse) and headed to the Quarter.
After a delightful lunch at Stanley’s-well except for the wait staff’s obsession with their new iPhones, although I think a very good idea to have them for taking orders. The real issue today was the less than stellar bar staff but I’m still loyal to this chef and his wife, so stayed for a cherry-limeade Italian soda and a bowl of their gumbo with potato salad dumped in and was glad I did.
Afterwards, I unlocked the Crescent and headed to Dumaine, between Chartres and Royal.
Madame John’s Legacy is said by some to be either the oldest or the second oldest building in the Quarter. Ursuline Convent is usually considered to be the oldest and since MJL burned in the first fire that swept through the Quarter and had to be rebuilt, I’m not sure why some fight for the oldest designation.
Okay, maybe its just wild talking mule carriage drivers that say that. I am also sure that the many expert historians could make a case for either if needed.
In any case, it has to be the plainest building in the Quarter.
I like that about it, but it must be hard for people to believe its a museum with its undecorated green front (historically accurate colors by the way) and its entrance at street level under the stairs. As locals know, the gingerbread and vibrant colors came with that nutty Victorian age. The name itself comes from a George Washington Cable story, a writer interestingly, who worked in part of the same time period as the Newcomb Pottery folks and was known for his sympathetic and sensitive portrayal of the complex culture found in New Orleans.
Once you get upstairs, a very courteous security officer at the desk gives a short overview of the fact that this exhibit is free (thanks to the Friends of the Cabildo, you’re very welcome) and that pictures are allowed.
I was the only person in there until the end when a couple of French men came in and went directly to the house descriptions rather than to the Newcomb exhibit. The exhibit is set up in 4 rooms, with one or two cases in each laid out in different periods. For those unfamiliar with Newcomb, pottery or even the name, it was a celebrated liberal arts women’s college at Tulane University. Until 2006 that is, and then scandalously to many Newcomb graduates, the management of Tulane ceased the operation of this endowed college and folded it and its endowment into the larger university. I can understand the argument that there may not be a need for a women’s college any longer but talk about kicking people when they’re down…
In any case Newcomb operated this pottery business for about 50 years really, from the late 1800s through the early 1940s. Its pottery became quite the collectors item for arts and crafts pottery enthusiasts and it is some of the loveliest work you’ll see. The detail is striking, especially since they often used local flora and fauna for their motifs.
The arts and crafts movement itself was an artistic response to the industrialization of America and also a way to allow women to work on their degree. Having grown up also in Ohio, I was already familiar with Rookwood Pottery, which was the most well known of the arts and crafts pottery-a friend in Cincinnati has Rookwood fireplace detail in her apartment, which is not that unusual to find there….
The Newcomb school allowed women to design and paint designs, but the actual pottery wheel was handled by men! ugh. I’m gonna leave that alone….
Interestingly, the most well known prolific potter at Newcomb, Joseph Meyer, was the son of a French Market vendor who sold utilitarian wares.
This modest exhibit is at the perfect venue and is well worth the trip to Dumaine.
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Excerpts from A Field Guide To Trees- Bill Lavender
the night’s young
you’re not
bark
that sensuous brown surface
it grows on trees and barroom walls
compared to this
the passing of the body is nothing
what happens when humanity finally boils
things I imagine saying to the tree
just go
the tree that represents itself has a fool for a client
THE BITTER SOUTHERNER
Beautiful. A perfect marriage of Lolis’ writing, Willie Birch’s art and an aptly named and nicely designed website.
Willie Birch — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER.Willie Birch — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER.
Veronica Russell, award-winning New Orleans performer and costume designer, dies at age 44
One of our most creative and engaged community artists passed away this week after a brief illness. A great loss.
“She fused her acting and costuming talents into her role as the artistic director for Louisiana History Alive, whose performers assume the characters of some of the state’s most notable figures at public and private functions throughout the city — most notably in the French Quarter.
Russell often portrayed the notorious New Orleans madam Josie Arlington from the Storyville days.”
Sean Friloux, Royal Street artist
The artist that shows and sells his work on the St. Louis Cathedral (St. Anthony’s garden) fence at Royal Street made this beautiful short piece. His work was introduced to us courtesy of New Orleans photographer, author, restaurant family (Antoine’s of course) Roy Guste who is adding one of Sean’s pieces into his new book commemorating Antoine’s 175 years on St. Louis Street.
French Quarter block by block 
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