Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008 - (Page 8)

Deja Vu Mixed Media 36 x 36 in. The concept of the New Orleans Immortelle series began as I returned to the city in late October 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. Witnessing and living in a disaster unfolding was far beyond any previous life experience. The often-seen televised or print images cannot speculate or accurately convey the enormity of the visual and emotional experience of this event. My reaction, as it relates to my art and life’s work, has been to photograph, preserve, record and lay tribute to the ever-changing and disappearing landscape around New Orleans. Immortelles refer to historical French icons created to revere the deceased. The replication of this custom became prevalent in New Orleans during the 19th century. My art commemorates visions of a New Orleans that is passing away. The Immortelle genre that I have implemented for my work not only best illustrates the pervasive atmosphere of death that has always surrounded New Orleans but also lays tribute to the current consequence of deep water innundating the city. 8 LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES\Fall 2008 Continuing this series has become a primary life goal. As a record of history, these pieces have become for me an intimate chronicle of a life-changing experience. Burning, flooding, death, loss, violence, grief, expectation, and hopeless political rhetoric are running themes in this series. The loss of the wetlands, the impact on the environment, parallel existences regarding race, class and heritage are all portrayed here. I visually address the problems that face New Orleans that are also systemic to our nation and world. I plan to develop a significant interactive online user gallery that displays the New Orleans Immortelles. The gallery would include site, studio and satellite photographs and sound. I have completed 10 pieces at present. I have three half completed in my studio. I wish to continue the series until there are 20 in total. It is my ambition and expectation to continue the collection to its fruition. Krista Jurisich is represented by Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans’ Warehouse District: www.jonathanferraragallery.com/dynamic/artist.asp?artistid=239 http://www.jonathanferraragallery.com/dynamic/artist.asp?artistid=239

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008 Contents Friends Editor’s Column Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities New Orleans Immortelle The Historic New Orleans Collection Highland-Fairfield: The Historic Heart of Shreveport The Ogden Museum of Southern Art Perils of the Mississippi River Louisiana Foodways Harvest of Life King Oliver: The Forgotten King of Jazz Louisiana Architecture Jazz Notes Louisiana State Museum Eye of the Storm Louisiana Association of Museums Soul Resin Bookstand Sound Advice Forum

Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Fall 2008

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