PLACEHOLDER
A COMMUNITY ART GATHERING BY THE CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE ENGAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AND BODYART DANCE
And Placeholder is a wrap! A great time was had by all at the public event on Saturday. All four artists showed curated spaces on the property across from the Bayou Bienvenue Wetland Platform.
Executive Director, Lissie Stewart created two works for the exhibition. Through her installation piece, “In Place; Reflections on Sustainable Practices in New Orleans” she aims to draw attention to the work of others in efforts to restore the bayou and oyster reefs that help protect Louisiana’s eroding coast line. The use of recycled glass sand, reclaimed cypress wood, oyster shells, and specific plants used to restore the bayou pay homage to the changemakers that are working towards coastal restoration efforts in the most fragile spaces of our community.
Transporting the larger work required two vehicles and weighed approximately 600 pounds after being installed. A total of 33 gallons of oyster shells were diverted from landfills to fill the base of the sculpture.
Inside the pond were plants and Gambusia mosquito fish. Specifically Bulrush was selected as it is actively used for coastal conservation due to its ability to hold water and prevent erosion. This living sculpture is an idealized microclimate that demonstrates how humans can utilize sustainable practices to restore a place and aims to celebrate placeholders that work together to honor that place as sacred.
In addition to the sculpture, Lissie created a smaller mixed medium work, also fabricated from recycled materials and framed in reclaimed cypress. In this piece she adorned the depiction of the Mississippi River in gold leaf and incorporated marbled paper as a layer beneath the glass within the piece.
About the CSED
Center for Sustainable Engagement & Development (CSED) formed in 2006 to advocate for a healthier, more sustainable environment. As a grassroots nonprofit, the CSED works to stimulate civic engagement, repopulate, sustain natural systems, assist community leadership and preserve resources in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhoods.
It was a beautiful day and we loved celebrating art, nature, community, and green spaces over the course of the event. Special thanks to collaborating contributors for the exhibition including; the Center for Sustainable Development and Engagement, BODYART Connects, Alina Allen, Jason Meserole, SWINE, and Tulane Mellon Fellow, Rachel Slater.
NOLA Artist Incubator 