What’s new and good (to me at least) in N.O.

E & I recently returned from a trip to New Orleans. We were there, as mentioned previously, for the opening of E’s photography show Soldier Portraits. It was a nice trip, and I thought I’d pass along some highlights of interest. We hadn’t been in N.O. for a while, and I’ll spare you my “take” on “how it’s going” there, and stick to new developments and new things of interest. New to us, I mean, and hopefully to you.

 

1. Farrington Smith Gallery. 1514 St. Claude. Not exactly a booming part of town, but a great outpost showing very fine work. Here’s their site. On view right now is “Hurricane Story,” by Jennifer Shaw. Ms. Shaw (who is a friend of E’s) tells the story of her and her husband’s Katrina adventure in a “narrative series of self portraits in toys.” Shaw has written:

“I was nine months pregnant and due in less than a week when Hurricane Katrina blew into the Gulf. In the early hours of August 28, 2005 my husband and I loaded up our small truck with two cats, two dogs, several crates containing my favorite negatives, all our important papers and a few changes of clothes. We evacuated to a motel in southern Alabama and tried not to watch the news. Monday, August 29 brought the convergence of two major life changing events; the destruction of New Orleans and the birth of our son. It was two long months and 6000 miles before we were able to return home.”

She has also made a book version. I’ve looked at and read many, many Katrina stories, and I think this may be the best one I’ve seen. I believe that she will be selling the book through her site before too long. The T-Pwrote about her project here.

2. Louviere + Vanessa. A photo/art duo doing some really outstanding work. Here’s their site; I particularly like the “creature” series (example below), and the “overawe” post-Katrina images. They make films as well. Some of their work is currently on view at A Gallery, which is a much nicer space than its Web site might suggest.

3. New Orleans Photo Alliance Gallery. 1111 St. Mary. This is where E’s show is. It’s a very nice space and a fine addition to the gallery options in N.O. Also, NOPA is the driving force behind PhotoNola, which is a great new annual event.

4. Ignatius. 4200 Magazine. New neighborhood restaurant uptown. Nice to see something new on Magazine that isn’t a boutique. Great omelettes, great etouffee. Savannah could use a spot like this. Here’s their Myspace page.

5. Cochon. 930 Tchoupitoulas. Cochon means pig, y’all. They serve all kinds. Nice atmosphere, good wine, fine service, excellent menu. Please don’t miss the fried boudin. Web site here.

6. And one bonus, not-new-at-all entry: Liuzza’s by the Track. This was my neighborhood lunch spot when we lived in N.O., and I was positively thrilled to find the place back in full form, with a shrimp po boy and bowl of gumbo lunch that would have made the entire trip worthwhile all by itself.