NEW ORLEANS – On August 24, 2015, five days before the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Michael Manjarris will be on a ladder installing FLAG, 52 Katrina-remembrance banners placed on 26 nine-foot posts planted in a Mid-City neutral ground.
During the decade since the storm, Manjarris, the founder of Sculpture for New Orleans (SfNO), has substantially contributed to the visual fabric of the cityscape. Through his leadership, New Orleans has gained sculpture by internationally-recognized artists. In total, 65 monumental sculptures have been placed in the Big Easy by SfNO.
Morgan Molthrop with Custom New Orleans DMC interviewed the artist about his contributions to post-Katrina New Orleans, his work and FLAG.
Q: What in your background led you to the genesis of SfNO?
A: “I started Mariposa Park in 1990. It was before Kickstarter and so I created a 501(c)3, Mariposa Arts Foundation, to support the project. I've completed a dozen projects, SfNO being the largest. I consider myself an activist and my art reflects my activism. I’m not afraid to work through what may seem like overwhelming resistance to get large projects approved and placed.”
Q: You have told me that you were supposed to be the lawyer in the family, but that you always knew in your heart you were an artist. Was it a calling or innate creativity that led you to this conclusion?
A: “I've been telling people I was an artist since I was six years old. God knows why because I don’t so much anymore. I just knew I was going to be an artist.”
Q: Tell us about how decided to begin SfNO – Sculpture for New Orleans.
A: “Millions were going to the musicians and Jazz Fest to save that industry. I was asked to help the artists by some Jazz Fest folks. First they asked me to do a biennial and I said I don't do that kind if work. What I do – and what I'm really good at – are community based projects like the one we created with SfNO. I knew if it took root it would stay.”
Q: Did you know then that this project would balloon to 65 monumental pieces in 10 years?
A: “Yes. No doubt. The big reason for its success was that I was able to install the first 30 sculptures because everyone who would traditionally say “no” – they were all gone after the storm. I met the right people and they all knew anything would help. But it wasn’t just me. The project was supported by people like Sally Shushan, John Bullard, Rick Gruber and Ron Forman to name just a few. Ultimately, this project could not have happened without the great artists who loaned their work to us: it all started with the artists of New Orleans.
“The reason why they let us continue is because it works and the project has won the hearts and minds of the people of New Orleans. SfNO has won a bunch of awards, but it's more important to me when I hear a person I've just met tell me how wonderful the project is – and how their kids will now be able to grow up recognizing the value of public art. It just wasn’t a priority before.”
Q: Of all SfNO achievements, which are the top three that you value most?
A: “First, it’s most gratifying to be able to see artists who could not afford to work full-time get to buy studios and homes. Second, there’s a great story from each artist about how positive the project has been to their career. It's truly an ‘art for art’s sake’ project. Third, having great people buy into the project and have pride in ownership. There is an old saying: ‘Success has a thousand fathers and failure is an orphan.’ Fending off the takers has always been – and continues to be – the task at hand to protect the project’s integrity.”
Q: New Orleans is a town of insiders. And yet it seems to have taken an "outsider" to come in and create the energy and motivation to get this project going. What's your secret?
A: “Stay off the radar and do my job. Usually I installed at 5:00 a.m. and left town. My theory is to let the art do the talking. That's the key and the mission.”
Q: Tell us about the FLAG project and its significance to you.
A: “I consider the entire project as one citywide conceptual piece. It's my art and I manage it as a piece I am creating. The FLAG is my sculpture that is part if the whole, but in keeping with my collaborative spirit, I've asked community groups and ARTIST SPACES artists to participate. It’s a natural extension of the ARTIST SPACES community reach. The book turned into an amazing show at the Ogden – which is still up, by the way. Now they’ve helped us bring this project together. This is a great, big collaborative outdoor artists’ space.”
Q: Ten years is a marker for you. You must be thinking what's in store for the next decade artistically. Tell us how you envision SfNO growing and what your goals are personally and professionally.
A: “I hope it's made a difference. I'm an artist and no matter what I do or touch it is art to me. I'll keep on keepin' on.”
A gathering of artists and dignitaries to dedicate FLAG will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2015, from from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on the neutral ground at the downriver crossing of Jefferson Davis Parkway and Canal Street.
The flags will be created by artists and students led by Keith Duncan, community members from L9 Studio, the Ashé Cultural Arts Center and its partners, YAYA and Educare.
Overseeing the banner painting? Many of the 21 artists featured in ARTIST SPACES, the book of iconic images by Tina Freeman of New Orleans artists’ live/ work spaces. The sister show for FLAG at the Ogden Museum is running simultaneously. Corporate sponsors include The Sheraton New Orleans on Canal and Custom New Orleans DMC.
