Small pink signs have cropped up across the city within the last few months, and you might be wondering why. Flashing “P.3” in white font, they denote the venues housing Prospect.3 art exhibits. Prospect.3: Notes for Now, the latest iteration of Prospect New Orleans’ contemporary art biennial, features the work of 58 artists in 18 venues across the city — and that doesn’t include all of the satellite exhibits under the P.3+ umbrella. Our handy guide provides an active, neighborhood-based lineup of what you should check out. All exhibits are open Wednesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Jan. 25, but be sure to double check Prospect’s website around the holidays for changes in hours.
Walking P.3: Treme
Start your day off in Treme by viewing New Orleans artist Zarouhie Abdalian’s “Chanson du Ricochet” at the New Orleans African American Museum. After listening to recorded voices coming from within the structures on site and seeing the barely noticeable reflective surfaces on the grounds of this outdoor exhibit, walk up to Rampart Street and head over to Joan Mitchell Center Studios. This venue displays the work of artists Remy Jungerman from Suriname; Los Jaichackers, a collaboration between Julio Cesar Morales of Mexico and Eamon Ore-Girón of the U.S.; and Akosua Adoma Owusu, also of the U.S. The gallery also features a short West African film, Kwaku Ananse.
There is also a P.3+ satellite exhibit at this venue. Cross over Rampart Street, pass through Armstrong Park, and head down to Claiborne to end your walking tour at the Treme Market Branch. U.S. artist Gary Simmons’ “Recapturing Memories of the Black Ark” is a sculptural installation that focuses on impermanence.
Biking P.3: City Park
Bike over to the City Park area for another grouping of P.3 exhibits. Begin at Isaac Delgado Art Gallery (closed Dec. 20-Jan. 4) for a slightly absurd installation by Piero Golia of Italy and Delgado students called “Making the Mold.” The artist and students are creating a life-size mold of George Washington’s nose as it is depicted on Mount Rushmore. Afterwards, hop back on your bike and ride over to City Park to view New York-based artist Will Ryman’s three-story pink outdoor rose sculpture “Icon,” which is beautiful against the blue backdrop of the sky. End the tour at the New Orleans Museum of Art where eight artists have their work on display. Make sure to note the pink P.3 signage, as the museum hosts other exhibits.
Guided Tours
If you prefer a guided tour, Prospect.3 offers that as well through partnerships with local groups. Both group bike tours and pedicab tour are available.
Group Bike Tours: If you can afford to splurge and are steady on a bike, one of the more exciting ways to enjoy Prospect.3 is to participate in “Seeking in the Faubourgs,” a partnership with Bike Easy. These group bike tours last between four and five hours and allow visitors to take in P.3 art at venues spread across the city’s historic neighborhoods, or faubourgs. The venues included in “Seeking in the Faubourgs” are: New Orleans Museum of Art, City Park, UNO St. Claude Art Gallery, May Gallery, Dillard University Art Gallery, Isaac Delgado Art Gallery, Xavier University, and the New Orleans African American Museum of Art, Culture and History.
Tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 25, 2015. They begin at 11 a.m. at Confederacy of Cruisers. Tickets cost either $55 if you can provide your own bike or $80 if you need to rent one. A limited number of walk-ups are accepted so book your tour in advance.
Guided Pedicab Tours: Prospect.3, in a partnership with Bike Taxis Unlimited, offers guided pedicab tours for $45 per hour for three types of tours. The Central City/Downtown/9th Ward tour lasts 3.5-4 hours and features the New Orleans African American Museum, Treme Market Branch, the UNO St. Claude Gallery, among others. The UNO St. Claude Gallery features “Shrine” which touches on funerary practices in both New Orleans, particularly funerary bands, and Vietnam, through a short film on Vietnamese traditions surrounding the funeral wake. The Downtown/French Quarter tour, which lasts 2-3 hours, features the Esplanade Avenue Wharf , the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and several others. The Contemporary Arts Center, also included in this tour package, showcases the work of over a dozen artists from Saudi Arabia to the Dominican Republic. The City Park Area and Uptown tour, also lasting 2-3 hours, provides opportunities to visit venues including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Isaac Delgado Art Gallery, and Tulane’s Newcomb Art Gallery which hosts works by several artists that explore gender, power, and the dichotomy between artist Monir Farmanfarmaian’s two homes: Iran and New York City.
These tours can be customized if desired. Additionally, Bike Taxis Unlimited can provide trips to particular venues at the rate of $1 per minute or $60 per hour. Call (504) 891-3441 to book a tour.
