During Carnival season it’s easy to reach for a blinky pair of purple earrings at CVS and consider yourself festive. And who can blame you? It’s challenging to put in a creative effort while still recovering from Christmas! But conveniences aside, I wonder if these mass-produced tokens of the season don’t overshadow the fine and applied arts Mardi Gras was stands upon. The art of the greatest free show on earth. Everything from ball invitations to the krewe costumes and floats that have been painstakingly designed to tell a story. But do we slow down and pay attention today as in years past? It’s debatable. Too often we get caught up on the gimmicky aspects of Carnival and completely miss the larger (often allegorical) picture. Contrary to what outsiders may surmise, Mardi Gras is not frivolous. It is culture, art and revelry expressed through many mediums. Mistaken for a pop song when it is really a grand symphony.
Many (non-Mardi Gras) artists draw inspiration from Carnival, too. Some quite literally and others in more abstract ways. To underscore this point, The New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts will host six local artists for a Carnival inspired exhibition, commencing with a reception this Saturday evening. A self-described “classic realist” Billy Solitario loves to capture Mardi Gras at night. He paints scenes from a parade goer’s perspective that feel so authentic they will make you feel homesick. Even if you live here. Another artist, Blainey Kern, takes a more abstract approach. Her bulbous, undulating sculptures and paintings she says are “partly inspired by carnival costumes.” She explores the theme using bright colors that exist in nature and appear almost synthetic in their vibrancy. Plenty of other impressive artists will have pieces in the show as well like; Elise Allen, Alex Beard and Amanda Talley. All intend to illuminate the art of Carnival. I hope people will slow down and take it all in.
Event Details:
~Opening Reception~
Saturday, Jan. 20
5-7 p.m.
~Exhibition~
Saturday, Jan. 20, – Saturday, March 2
Sales & Event Picks:
Jan. 19-20 at 10 a.m.: Eclectic Estates Auction, Crescent City Auction
Jan. 21 at 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Little Flea at the St Vincent Hotel
Jan. 26 at 11 a.m.: Premier Collections: Art & Interiors, Neal Auction
Ongoing: Discounts on Sculptra, buy 4 vials save $700 and get a free microneedling face and neck, Pure Dermatology
