November 5th, 2012 -- New Orleans, Louisiana

Historical Bonding with New Orleans

Brought to You in Part by Taylor Goetzinger and Allison Walk

After two free days to start our stay in New Orleans, we picked class back up on Monday morning and headed to Jackson Square. This is an Italian Renaissance style plaza plopped on the edge of the French Quarters and cozied right up to the river's edge. After a brief historical lecture, we were given about 20 minutes to sketch details of the Square, and were then on our way to Piazza D' Italia.

Free sketching in Jackson Square

 Piazza D' Italia is a post modernist plaza that attempted to connect downtown New Orleans with the busy hub of the French Quarters. Although the intentions were good, the connection failed and it now stands decaying and desolate in a lonely, dark corner of downtown. After more free sketching here, we power-walked to St. Louis Cemetery on the top part of the French Quarters.

Piazza D' Italia

 This particular cemetery was one of three that were established. Due to the water table of the city the cemetery is built above ground with crypts and wall vaults to prevent the bodies from emerging from their tombs. Most tombs held numerous sets of bodies which were cremated and the bones were pushed to the back to make more room and to conserve space, and this is where the term "wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole" came from. And in one such tomb 2400 sets bones were held inside.

St. Louis Cemetery

Among the many plots in the cemetery, there are a few famous figures that have staked their claim. The first is the voodoo priestess, Marie Laudeav, and her tomb is decorated with offerings from faithful followers. Another is Homer Plessy who is the known from the infamous trial of Plessy vs. Ferguson. And an empty tomb awaits the famous actor Nicolas Cage who has become quite interested in the world of voodoo.

Crypt of voodoo priestess Marie Laudeav

Empty crypt of Nicolas Cage

 After spending the majority of the morning and early afternoon taking notes and drawing, we were given a street assignment to draw a plan/elevation of the building facades and the street layout. The rest of the day was ours to use to complete this detailed drawing.

Finished plan/elevation drawing of Beinville Street.

Although the day was filled to the brim with notes and sketches, the weather was beautiful and our new found knowledge of the city only strengthened our love for it.