December 13, 2010
Hi Charlie,
Here’s the last word on “Still Standing.” Last week, over several days, Orleans Shoring moved the piece from City Park to its new home at The House on Bayou Road, a former b&b which has been purchased by the Joan Mitchell Foundation for an arts center. We finalized the move over the weekend. Here’s a link for the new address —
http://www.houseonbayouroad.com/
Shannon and I want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of keeping Still Standing in the park. The support that came from you and others was truly appreciated and heartwarming. It meant a lot to us.
Fortunately, even though we didn’t prevail, we’ve found as a happy solution/resolution as we could have hoped for, and the piece looks very pretty where it is. It’s not exactly public any more, but at least it still exists.
We’d like to also extend our thanks to the people who wrote in support of keeping “Still Standing” in the park. I can tell you that eventhough it didn’t work out, it became clear to us that their voices still made quite an impression, and in that sense they were heard.
It’s clear that your website represents an example of the internet functioning at its best — bringing together an interactive community of people who care about their neighborhood. Thanks for including us in your discussion for a little while. Take care,
Erik & Shannon
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Still Standing – Hansen from Arts New Orleans on
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“Still Standing” by Shannon Landis Hansen is a celebration of the resolve, resolution, and restorative powers inside the people of New Orleans.
It is a monument to our resiliency, perspicacity, and love of life. There is a movement afoot to have this testament to our tenacity removed.
Please let our City Park officials know we want this monument to remain “Still Standing”. Write a short note to info@fsjna.org expressing your support to save this monument to us.
Or, if you prefer to express your opinion by phone, please call Bob Becker at (504) 482-4888 and ask that this monument remain “Still Standing”.
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Photos by Charlie London
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To Whom It May Concern,
I was away when Katrina hit but came home whenever I could to try and make a difference. On one of my extended stays, I went to the park and encountered this artwork. I wept for 15 minutes because of its healing power. It would be a great loss to lose this artwork,
Pamela Marquis
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This sculpture is a testament to the creative spirit in New Orleans, still
alive after Hurricane Katrina. Please don’t let it be removed!
Many thanks from a City Park-loving neighbor…
Mary Degnan
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Remarkable folk art. Truly remarkable.
Foolish to remove it. Truly foolish.
Let it stand.
Roger Hahn
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I live on Grand Route St. John and walk the park often. I always stop to look at this unique landmark and always seem to find something I’ve never noticed before. Please save this beautiful, unique and amazing piece of art.
Sincerely,
Janelle Dayton
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Please keep Shannon Landis’s wonderful sculpture permanently in the park. I and my family love it, and it lifts my spirits each time I pass it on my daily morning run.
Randy Bates
member Friends of City Park
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I’m not sure why anyone would want this monument removed. I remember the first time I saw it close up. I was riding my bike past and stopped to look. I was fascinated by all of the small pieces of people’s lives that had been gathered up and recycled into art. I stayed there a very long time just to look at each individual part. I was reminded of the many pieces of my life that had been lost in Lakeview and it somehow gave me comfort and strength. I’m asking that this monument not be removed, but left to stay as a reminder to us all of the determination of the citizens of NOLA.
Thank you.
elaine gootee
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I am just writing to express my fondness for this unusual art piece. It would be a shame to remove it. I teach at Delgado so pass it frequently. Like the park itself, each time I look at it I see something new and wonderful.
Beth Lasky, JD CPA
Instructor, Delgado Community College
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To Whom It May Concern,
Please add my voice to those neighborhood residents who would like to see the sculpture “Still Standing” remain in its present position in City Park. We hope that the trustees of the park will underwrite the insurance and upkeep of this important monument.
Yours,
Cynthia Scott
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Dear City Park Officials,
I wanted to put forth my support towards the monument and art work “Still Standing” created by Shannon Landis Hansen. As a work of art and testimony honoring the city of New Orleans, “Still Standing” should remain on the grounds as a beacon of hope.
Thank you for your time,
— Kristen Gremillion
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Still Standing is a delightful and inspiring piece of sculpture. If it is to be moved it should be placed in the sculpture garden where it will be better protected. Tina and I love the artwork and watched it being constructed.
Best regards,
Howard and Tina Mielke
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This note is to express support for the sculpture “Still Standing” I oppose any effort to have it removed-it is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Sincerely
Jane Hill
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I took great pleasure in watching the construction process unfold as Still Standing by Shannon Landis Hansen took shape over a period of weeks and months. I love the sculpture. I walk by it on a daily basis and look forward to seeing it in its current location.
I would like to take part in any effort to keep the sculpture in place.
Bill Coskrey
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I LOVE the sculpture. It is fun and witty, and breathtakingly beautiful. If there is no place in City Park for it (hard to imagine!), maybe we could put it in one of our pocket parks. It is true that beauty and art is in the eye of the beholder.
Pat Fowler
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I think the sculpture is wonderful. I work in the park and often see people coming up to it and being happy that it’s there. When I founded the Mid City Art Market I knew that art was a matter of individual taste and it can be tough to determine “good” or “bad” public art especially.
Sundance Morgan
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I walk in the park and past “Still Standing” every morning. I watched its progress as it was erected a few years ago and still enjoy seeing it daily. I also see many people local and tourist a like stop to take it in and enjoy it. It has been a welcome addition to the park for me and I would hate to see go.
Rachel Smith
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We didn’t know the title of this piece, but it is sort of a little
shrine that we stop by when we walk through the park. Now that the weather is getting better, out walking will increase and we look
forward to visiting all our favorite bits of City Park. Please
preserve this piece. I like it, my grandkids find it interesting, and
I think it belongs in the diversity of my favorite park! It speaks to
our spirit!
Vivien Michals
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This extraordinary monument not only represents the resilience and hope of New Orleanians after Katrina, but is an especially poignant testament to the determination of City Park officials and hundreds of volunteers to rebuild the Park better than it was before the flood. There is no more appropriate spot in the city for such a wonderful work of art. Please have the good sense to keep it here.
James S. Hank
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Please keep the “Still Standing” monument in City Park up. It is a lovely piece of art and testament to our struggles.
Thank you,
Sarah Marcello
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Please leave the sculpture, Still Standing, in City Park. It says so much to so many.
Sara Fanelli
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I am writing to express my support for the permanent retention of the “Still Standing” artwork in City Park in New Orleans. I live on N. White St. in Faubourg St. John, and I pass “Still Standing” nearly every day as I walk my dogs in the park. It is a beautiful work of art and a loving tribute, and should be kept as a permanent fixture in the Park.
John McGowan-Hartmann, Ph.D
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Film, Theater and Communication Arts
University of New Orleans
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It is with great sadness that I hear that City Park is planning to remove the sculpture/monument titled “Still Standing.” I would like to add my voice to those voices that oppose this action. I live in New Orleans for almost two decades, and I am a regular user of City Park. “Still Standing” is a fitting memorial to Katrina: it is a good sculpture, but it also fits nicely in its environment. I encourage you to change your decision and keep “Still Standing” where it belongs: in that wonderful corner of City Park.
Thank you for your consideration,
Laszlo Fulop
Assistant Professor
Department of Film, Theatre, and Communication Arts
The University of New Orleans
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Why would people want to remove such an inspirational & whimsical beauty that makes so many people so happy? City Park is the perfect location. It’s beautiful! I would be thrilled to have it in my front yard! Why don’t they? Please reconsider. It is truly a heartfelt masterpiece & we should be proud to have it in our neighborhood. Sincerely, Susan Gibeault
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I live almost directly across the street from the sculpture. You can see it from my living room. I have had guests who see it when they come to visit. Many have crossed the street for a closer look. All have remarked that it is a powerful work of art – especially those who were living in the city during Katrina. All of my neighbors have stated that they like the sculpture and that it adds to the ambience of the neighborhood. It would be a shame if it is removed.
Phil Costa
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Please don’t remove this beautiful, inspiring, piece of artwork. Every time i stop and look at it i see something new and it makes me happy. It should be allowed to stay and make other people happy. It is a monument to the perseverance of people during and after hurricane katrina that we all can relate to. Amanda Flood
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Dear City Park Officials,
Please make an effort to keep ‘Still Standing’ in the park. It is a wonderful piece and should continue be in a prominent location so that many can continue to enjoy it.
Hamp Overton
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This is a vote in FAVOR of keeping the Still Standing sculpture in City Park. We had looked at it very closely (and with pleasure) without knowing it had any connection with Katrina, and would be for keeping it, whatever its inspiration.
David and Kathy Fischer
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Absolutely love this piece, whenever we have out of town guests, a visit to this is always included after the Sculpture Garden. It is a very mesmerizing, whimsical, and thoughtful work of art and I find something new about it each time I see it. Please save it!
Frank Pizzi
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