I thought these postcards could be interesting paired with the other kinds of "images" we've seen of New Orleans since Katrina (particularly the photo essays of the destruction). I purchased them myself while visiting a friend in New Orleans in March, 2001.
While I know that we're interested in more than "outsider" responses to and ideas about New Orleans, I thought that the concept of the postcard might also be a productive way to think about the image that New Orleans projects of itself. What do these images "say" about the city? How are these images affected by other kinds of images, perhaps other photos or texts? (For example, how were the images of the destruction altered by reports of looting, people taking advantage of the aid provided to victims, the corrupt city governance, and the delayed national response?) And moving forward, how do we "picture" New Orleans now?
I also think this ties in nicely with Karen's research (tv watching is a totally acceptable form in my opinion). How have images of New Orleans come to represent "America" in general?
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I've been thinking more about how postcards could be incorporated into our dramaturgical installation (see my comment on the other postcard post) by handing them out to other ATHE members as they enter the space. I'm sort of struck by what a rich, but simple, means of communication this could be. Some ideas:
1. Buy a bunch of postcards and then write facts, quotes, research, reactions, etc. on the back - something to try to bring to light other realities that exist in NO outside of the monumentalized memories of the place that the postcards represent.
2. Create postcards with images from NO that don't normally make the postcards - the homeless, the flood waters, the everyday person walking to work. A reminder to everyone that there are plenty of realities that are not normally memorialized in postcard form. We could again put info on them, or write the "usual" postcard-like message on them - "Having a great time, Wish you were here" etc.
3. Inscribe each postcard with a simply philanthropic task to be completed, e.g. buy a book at a local book store and donate it here, skip the latte during the session breaks and give that money to this fund, send a costume piece from your theatre's reserve to this theatre, etc. It would encourage an act of philanthropy (but not demand it) of each ATHE member who receives it, but it might be simple and specific enough that people might actual participate without feeling the pressure of changing the world.
Thoughts?
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