Second Lines: #footwork504
Featuring Vincent Simmons, Tenzin Dolker, and MJ Mastrogiovanni
December 14, 2018 – January 31, 2019
Opening: Thursday, Dec 13, 8-10pm
In conjunction with PhotoNOLA, Bar Redux presents Second Lines: #footwork504, a three person exhibition of the New Orleans Second Line culture by photographers Vincent Simmons, Tenzin Dolker and MJ Mastrogiovanni. The exhibition, curated by Vincent Simmons, will be displayed December 14th through January 31, 2019. Opening night festivities include live jazz music by Simon Burke performing on the patio, meet and greet with the photographers, and carrot cake. Admission is free.
The Second Line has a deep, rich history in New Orleans. Originally part of a funeral procession, it consist of two parts, those being honored are the first line with guests and other revelers following in the Second Line. In Second Lines: #footwork504, photographers Vincent Simmons, Tenzin Dolker and MJ Mastrogiovanni focus on capturing the joyous infectious energy that engulfs the spectators.
Vincent Simmons‘ interest in photography started at very young age. Born and raised in a city with so much physical and spiritual diversity allowed Vincent to become better with his craft and appreciate New Orleans more. “Whether shooting wildlife, portraiture, special events or documenting, photography allows me to share and express my passion with the pictures I make. I was raised never to take anything for granted. So when something visually peeks my interest, I know the moment is mine to capture because it can vanish at any given time.”
Tenzin Dolker is a Tibetan exile, born and raised in a Tibetan Refugee Camp in South India. She is a performing artist, entrepreneur and freelance photographer. For Dolker, photography gives a voice to her intricate nature, a space to learn, question and accept her own existence by observing, documenting people and cultures, the street and everyday lives. She now resides in New Orleans
Dolker started documenting secondliners three years ago. It is an ongoing project. “When I walk and dance along with the secondliners,” Dolker says. “I feel a strong sense of pride, a sense of resistance and a sense of reaffirming the space of ones spirit and spreading that energy as they dance through the streets.”
MJ Mastrogiovanni – “I am a self taught photographer and have been making pictures for 30+ years. I live in New Orleans and primarily make photographs of the unique New Orleans street and festival culture with some of my favorite subjects being musicians, Mardi Gras parades, Sunday secondline parades and Mardi Gras Indian events that take place around town. I am committed to documenting as well as supporting the culture and make a point of giving back to participants in the culture by providing my photographs and photography services at low or even sometimes at no cost. I have also been a volunteer photographer at French Quarter Fest and at JazzFest. I have sold other photographs that I take around New Orleans and Louisiana at local art fairs/markets including Frenchmen Street Art Market and Freret Street Market.”
Simon Burke plays a blend of music throughout the history of jazz, ranging from New Orleans standards and the music of Louis Armstrong to American songbook standards, Bluenote era jazz and the more modern music of artists such as Tom Harrell. Simon began playing professionally in the UK in the mid 90’s with his touring group Skokiaan and has played throughout the UK and Ireland as well as throughout the Mid-West and more recently, Louisiana. Before relocating to Louisiana in late 2015, Simon completed a Master’s in jazz performance at the University of Illinois.
Please join us to celebrate the art of photography, New Orleans style, with musical guest, Simon Burke.
