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A sculpture of a giant heart ropped by a golden crown was craned to the top of the 60-ft. column in the center of Harmony Circle on Sunday morning, and was bolted into the place where a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee once stood.
The new sculpture, by Mexican artist artist Raúl de Nieves, is meant to signal the importance of the New Orleans landmark in the celebration of Carnival. For generations, Harmony Circle has been a prime spot for parade watching. (Photo by Doug MacCash, NOLA.
com | The Times-Picayune) 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 (Photo by Doug MacCash NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) 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 (Photo by Doug MacCash NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) 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 (Photo by Doug MacCash NOLA.
com | The Times-Picayune) 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 (Photo by Doug MacCash NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune) A bronze sculpture titled ‘Sentinel (Mami Wata),’ by renowned New York artist Simone Leigh, was unveiled at the former Lee Circle on Jan. 22 in New Orleans.
The sculpture was the grand finale of the Prospect.5 international art exhibition. (Photo by Doug MacCash NOLA.
com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) 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. STAFF PHOTO BY DOUG MacCASH 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. STAFF PHOTO BY DOUG MacCASH Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save A sculpture of a giant scarlet heart wearing a golden crown was craned to the top of the 60-foot column in the center of Harmony Circle in New Orleans on Sunday morning, and was bolted into the place where a statue of Lee once stood.
It's the first time the top of the column has been occupied since the Confederate icon was removed in 2017. The new sculpture, by Mexican artist Raúl de Nieves, is meant to signal the importance of the New Orleans landmark in the celebration of Carnival. For generations, Harmony Circle has been a prime spot for watching parades.
The sculpture, titled “The Sacred Heart of Hours and the Trees of Yesterdays, Today, and Tomorrow,” will be the centerpiece of the Prospect.6 international art exhibition that opens in scattered locations across New Orleans on Nov. 2.
According to a statement by the artist, the sculpture was “inspired by and representative of Catholic iconography and Carnival culture.” It is meant to symbolize “a new beginning for the space, one that considers the expanse of New Orleans’ rich and vibrant cultural legacies and histories.” 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 “This work draws deeply from my first visit to New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 2008 — a transformative experience that shaped my understanding of spaces for celebration and self expression,” de Nieves wrote.
The monument to the failed Confederate general was dedicated in 1884, at what was then known as Tivoli Circle. The landmark was long seen by many as a relic of the city’s racist history. Finally, seven years ago, Lee was craned away and placed in storage, and the traffic circle was renamed.
Recently, discussions have begun about future redesign of the circle, including the possible removal of the old column. The Prospect series of citywide exhibits began in 2008 and has taken place every two or three years since. Prospect.
6, which will continue until Feb. 2, cost $5.5 million to produce and will feature 49 artists from New Orleans, across the United States, and locations around the globe, in museums and scattered sites.
It’s not the first time that the triennial Prospect exhibit has made use of Harmony Circle. Prospect.5, which took place in 2021, is probably best remembered for the surprise installation of a striking abstract sculpture of a river goddess by New York art star Simone Leigh at the traffic circle.
Admired by many, but also criticized by some, Leigh’s goddess was a sensation..
