Giant cranes crisscrossed the skyline at Harmony Circle on Saturday morning as a crew of workers uncrated glittering tree-like sculptures on the ground below. Two workers could be seen in a red construction elevator cage dangling 60 feet above, apparently inspecting the enormous column at its center.
The circle, which was once the site of a monument dedicated to Confederate general Robert. E. Lee, is once again being repurposed as a high-profile exhibition site during the Prospect international art exhibition that opens in New Orleans on Nov. 2.
The artwork being erected Saturday was designed by Mexican-born artist Raúl de Nieves, whose colorful, costume-oriented style is meant to resonate with local Carnival culture. Harmony Circle is a prime Mardi Gras parade watching spot.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, the St. Charles Streetcar line was blocked as workers began installing designed by Mexican-born artist Raúl de Nieves, which will be part of the Prospect.6 international art festival
It’s not yet clear what form the new artwork will eventually take, but De Nieves’ past works include a custom-built carousel with costumed horses.
It’s not the first time that the triennial Prospect exhibit has made use of the St. Charles Avenue site. The prospect event in 2022 is probably best remembered for the surprise installation of a striking abstract sculpture of a river goddess by New York art star Simone Leigh. Admired by many, but also criticized by some, Leigh’s goddess was a sensation.
The timing of Saturday’s installation, which has shortened the St. Charles streetcar route, may have been a bit unfortunate with an army of pop music fans in town to take in the sights between weekend concerts by Taylor Swift. Some surely expected to catch the streetcar — a popular tourist attraction on top of its utility as public transportation — closer to the French Quarter.
A bronze sculpture titled ‘Sentinel (Mami Wata),’ by renowned New York artist Simone Leigh, was unveiled at the former Lee Circle in New Orleans on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. The sculpture is the grand finale of the Prospect.5 international art exhibition.
According to a press release from the Regional Transit Authority, the closure of the tracks from Canal and Erato Streets will continue until 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. In the meantime, busses will provide service along that part of the route.
This year’s event — called Prospect.6 — will continue until Feb. 2, cost $5.5 million to produce and will feature 49 artists from New Orleans, across the United States, and scattered locations around the globe, including Haiti, Kenya, the Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea. The exhibition is free. For more information, visit the Prospect.6 website.