NEW ORLEANS, LA – May 25, 2016 – On Thursday, June 2nd,
The Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition presented by The Helis Foundation, a
Sculpture for New Orleans project, will install two new additions to the
largest rotating exhibition of public sculpture in the South. Artist collective
The Myth Makers’ “Avian Avatars,” a series of five twenty--‐foot tall bird
sculptures, will be installed on Poydras Street between S. Claiborne Ave. and
S. Galvez St. All
installations are open to media throughout the morning of Thursday, June 2nd with interview opportunities available upon request.
Regarding the expansion of
The Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition presented by The Helis Foundation,
Sculpture for New Orleans curator Michael Manjarris stated, “What was once an
industrial warehouse district is now becoming a world class, open air art
museum. We understand how art can invigorate neighborhoods, adding to the
quality of life in New Orleans.”
The “Avian Avatars”
installation marks the furthest north that the Poydras Corridor Sculpture
Exhibition presented by The Helis Foundation has ventured. The “Avian Avatars”
are five twenty--‐ foot tall bird sculptures comprised of saplings, wire ties
and found objects. The Myth Makers is a Boston--‐based art duo comprised of
Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Prior to New Orleans, the pieces have spent
time on public display in both New York City’s garment district and most
recently, Muskegon, Michigan.
The Myth Makers’ note “New
Orleans is an iconic North American city with wide variety of cultural roots
nestled in a vulnerable environment. Known as a trendsetting art vortex, the
city’s rich blend of peoples, music and foods create a gumbo of possibilities.”
About The Avian Avatars
1. The
Tourist Poydras Street & S Galvez Street A close relative of the common and often debased downtown
pigeon, the Victorian crowned pigeon has recently arrived from far away. Like
many who are visiting New Orleans for the first time, this lively bird wants to
experience it all. “Who we are cannot be separated from where we’re from.” –
Malcolm Gladwell
2. The Scold: Poydras Street between S Galvez Street and S Johnson Street A raucous chatterbox who dresses in ever chic,
uncompromising artist black, the crow is gregariously gadfly and a peripatetic
poet who has an opinion on everything. “I wish to live deliberately, to front
only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to
teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” – Henry
David Thoreau
3. The Realist Poydras Street between S Johnson Street and S Prieur Street The most common of raptors, the red tail hawk is a
determined competitor. Everyone has a killer instinct, a desire to fly and an
ambition to achieve their fifteen minutes of fame. “When it comes to luck, you
make your own.” –Bruce Springsteen
4. The Taste Maker Poydras Street between S Prieur Street and Bertrand Street An uncompromising harbinger of taste, the critic is not a
populist The falcon is an idealist, a philosopher and an opinionated vocalist
with a social vision. The revered place of the falcon in many cultural
traditions lends virtue to this sacred avian gathering. “The truth is not for
all…but only for those who seek it.” – Ayn Rand
5. The Great Spirit: Poydras Street and Bolivar Street The owl sees it all and embraces both the strengths and
weaknesses of humanity. The Great Spirit is an advocate who seeks out the best
in each of us. A humble leader and a mystic, the Owl inspires from a spiritual
perspective. “Not all of us can do great things, but we can [each] do small
things with great love.” – Mother Teresa
About The Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition
presented by The Helis Foundation The
Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition presented by The Helis Foundation is a
Sculpture for New Orleans project, which began shortly after Hurricane Katrina
by artist and curator Michael Manjarris with the mission of lifting the spirits
of the people of New Orleans through public art and to provide local and
regional artists the opportunity to show in a public venue. In cooperation with
the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and The City of New Orleans Department of
Parks and Parkways, the Poydras Corridor Sculpture Exhibition was launched in
January of 2013 to create the Southeast’s leading rotating exhibition of public
sculpture. Since the exhibition’s inception in 2013, 26 sculptures by artists
of local and international acclaim have been installed on the Poydras Street
between the interstate and Convention Center Blvd. The project is generously
underwritten by The Diana Helis Henry and The Adrienne Helis Malvin Art Funds
of The Helis Foundation. To learn more, visit the PCSE/SFNO on Facebook and Instagram, or
text “poydras” to 56512.
About The Myth Makers The collaboration between Moerlein and Dodson is born from
a mutual love of the wild. Moerlein takes inspiration from events in the
natural world, which leave visual marks that strike a narrative chord in the
artist. Dodson takes inspiration from the mysterious nature of animals that
spark her imagination. Although monumental in scale, these ephemeral works are
temporary in nature. Made from natural materials, they are site specific, and
respond to their local audience. Meaning to only last 3--‐5 years, they appear,
fade, ad disappear, adding a chapter to the life stories in their communities.
Update: John D'Addario covered this project for the New Orleans Advocate on June 1st, Check out new 20-foot-tall 'avian avatars' along stretch of Poydras Street in New Orleans. Doug MacCash covered this story for NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune on June 2nd, Giant bird sculptures land on Poydras Street. Doug MacCash also made this great video of the installation and story of the Avian Avatars. Heather Miller covered this story live on June 2nd for WGNO/ABC TV, Artists create 20-foot-tall ‘Avian Avatars’ for new Mid-City art installation. Jade Cunningham covered this story live for WWL TV/CBS in New Orleans on June 2nd- watch Part 1 and Part 2 online. Wild Bill Wood covered this story on June 7, 2016 for WGNO/ABC TV, Who Wins the husband-wife bird calling contest in downtown New Orleans? Carter Cincore covered this story for Where Y'at Magazine on June 10, 2016, Giant Metal Birds Make a Stand Around New Orleans. Diane Mack featured this story on her podcast "Inside the Arts" on June 21, 2016 ( @ 8-15 minutes approx). Meagan Todfield featured the Avian Avatars on ViaNolaVie on April 10, 2019, "Footprints: The Red Tail Hawk is here."
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