In New Orleans, Art is Everywhere…Even in the Streets

With all the media attention given to the new Prospect 1.5 art installations recently, you may think that New Orleans is home only to “contemporary” artists. But here in New Orleans, art is not just in galleries or formal exhibitions; you can find it by simple walking down the streets.

Recently I stumbled upon this art car in New Orleans, an older Cadillac parked in the Bywater.

You know what I mean by art car. An art car is painted or covered in magnets or trinkets that have been hot glued, like tiny Eiffel Towers. Or perhaps it has been stuffed to the brim with plush animals.

It was one of the first really hot summer days when I discovered this treasure, and my friends waited for me inside Satsuma while I roasted in the street, reading it, looking at all the faces and characters, even reading aloud some of the beautifully-written prose into my phone’s recording application. I wondered if the artist wrote the words first, or last, and how she got them to fit just perfectly. I pondered on how it felt as though the black-and-white faces were speaking, or laughing. I love the mobile art in New Orleans.

When I was describing the art car to folk artist Devin Meyers, he said, “I know her. She taught me to paint my car.”

I’ve never known anyone with an art car before. This is VERY. EXCITING. NEWS. I even got to watch him paint a scene on his art car while listening to records on his sidewalk.

Artist Devin Meyers’ art car happens to be covered in quirky and historic FACTS, such as: “Redheads Invented (Pigeon) Texting,” and “The Dapper Ginger Boys were the first redhead barbershop quartet in 1931.” You know, things that are true. All the characters on Meyers’ truck are redheads (as is Meyers). It’s fantastic to see a person’s sense of humor or human tenderness expressed through such an interesting medium.

Last but not least, while sitting on my stoop in the Marigny, I heard the faint sound of a voice over a loudspeaker, like the swimming pool announcer from my hometown in Iola, Kansas, or political announcers in Nicaragua.

Nope, neither of those.

It was New Orleans fixture Mr. Okra, announcing his produce offerings over a loudspeaker attached to his truck painted by Dr. Bob. There was a huge line of cars behind him, some even parking in the middle of the street, to buy sweet potatoes or bananas or okra. More than being just an art car, it’s a movable market.

Open your eyes and open your ears, and you’ll discover the best of New Orleans art on wheels.

Tagged as: Art, art car, artist, Bywater, Devin Meyers, Dr. Bob, folk art, GoNOLA, Marigny, Mr. Okra, New Orleans, Prospect 1.5, satsuma