Bayou Road, Rhythmic Dream, and Chemin du Bayou
- Digital projection
- Cristina Molina , David Sullivan , John Gray , Southeastern Louisiana State University students
A three-act play of projections highlighting Pamela Davis-Noland’s "Chemin Du Bayou" script with artworks by John Gray, David Sullivan, and Southeastern Louisiana State University students under the direction of Cristina Molina.
Bayou Road, David Sullivan
Projection & Art Direction by David Sullivan
Inspired by Pamela Davis-Noland’s CHEMIN DU BAYOU script and artist Langston Allston’s murals found on the interior of Southern Rep Theatre
This projection took a narrative approach transitioning between bayou images, the development of Bayou Road, and scenes of bravery, inspired by the murals created for Southern Rep’s interior by artist Langston Allston. These murals tell the story of André Cailloux and Father Joseph de Maistre, trailblazers in the ongoing fight for justice and equality in New Orleans. Cailloux fought valiantly to lift the people of New Orleans out of slavery through his role as an officer in the union army. Father Maistre was the only catholic priest in Louisiana to vocally advocate for emancipation during the Civil War. Maistre organized Cailloux’s funeral and venerated his sacrifice on the battlefield. It was the largest gathering of African Americans, free and enslaved, in the city up to that point in history. The massive funeral procession extended more than a mile through the city. The funeral proved to be a revolutionary demonstration of the cities’ conviction to end slavery, and to recognize and respect New Orleans’ black residents.
Rhythmic Dream
Students from Southeastern Louisiana University's New Media + Animation present a series of vignettes that outline a young woman's journey towards finding her "rhythm" and fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer in New Orleans. Moving images feature a cast of characters from the writer's dreams and historical figures who helped create the historical Bayou Road.
Directed by Cristina Molina, Associate Professor of New Media + Animation
Storyboard: Ayanna Addison + Austin Meunier
Character + Scenic Design: Remy Baham, Jacob Lajaunie, Austin Menier, Em Noe + Brittani Thomas
Sound Design: Delaney Bright + Jacob Shaver
Assembly + Animation: Ayanna Addison, Brandon Bozeman, Monica Copping, Dominique Develroy, Caleb Mcdonald, Kierstyn Nance, Michael Sulzer, Brittani Thomas
Edited by: Bradley Green + Hunter Welch
Chemin Du Bayou
Projections and original composition By John Gray
Gray took an abstract approach to Davis-Noland’s work. Opening with a scene transforming the Southern Rep tower into a series of cascading waterfalls, the work connects with the influence, inspiration, and ongoing struggle the community has with living with water. Inspired by the play’s theme to find your rhythm, Gray combines ambient, abstract projections with the beats of his original composition as the projection proceeds. The ending encompasses futuristic style imagery to demonstrate the ongoing stories and continued history of this place in the world, both within and beyond our present moment.
- Created: 2020
- Collections: LUNA Fête Festival of Annual Festival of Light Art