| T H E A R T P A R T Y |
| a b o u t ! ~ a r t ! ~ i s s u e s ! ~ p r o p a g a n d a ! ~ j o i n ! ~ e v e n t s ! ~ c o n t a c t ! |
|
MOTION THOUGHTS
Saturday, November 03, 2007My paper plus some photographs“My Soi-disant Art Life”Subtitle: How to Survive the Art World These professional experiences of attending art school and various art functions will guarantee your survival in making it in the art world. First off, let me debunk the idea of going to art school to perfect and hone artistic skills; it is not true. It is mainly to lure unwilling participants into thinking that they can make a difference in the world through their kitsch art. In the past, art school taught the non-bullcrap of technical skills to a select handful of dedicated young artists. Nowadays, art institutions offer their curriculum to those who can afford the tuition to those who they deemed to be the next Man Ray, who, by the way, is not that great. Then, there are certain people you want to avoid in the art world; you can pretty much find them anywhere, there are the Nude Models, the Joe Pro, the Hopeless Case, the Mother with the Empty Nest Syndrome, the Sculptors, the Photo-Major and the Critic. If you are looking to “score” with somebody in the art world, do not in the name of Sandy Skolung, hook-up with a nude model. They are big trouble. Mostly, they come in two types: the married business kind (the one who talks on the phone while supposed to stay still) and the hippie type (the one with hair growing under her armpit). The Joe Pros are the good artists but they believe they are famous and they only stay in art school to exasperate the rest of us. The Hopeless Case is the one who can pay the tuition but should go to technical school. The Mother is the one who attends art school to discover her creative side after all her children have left her, hence the Empty Nest Syndrome. The Sculptors are possibly the coolest people who can create art from their hands but they lack their sanity at the same time. They are not as worse as the Photo Majors are; they are even worse than the neurotic chicks that make their own clothes! They are constantly arguing that photography is an art. They are stressful people who carry their cameras to bed with other people! Stay away from the Photo-Majors. Finally, every class has one: the Critic. This person would make you want to punch him in the face. They do not do any of the required assignments but they heavily criticize everyone else’s work in lack of better participation. Let us talk about having shows and critiques of your work. First, the art school you attend does not want you to have an art show while you are there. Instead, they want you to go through the motions at their happy institute of learning until you graduate before having an art show. In rough translation, they want to brainwash you for four years into thinking your art needs improvement while at the same time taking notes on how to copy your “asinine” work. Worst-case scenario, you go to your professor’s art show and find the very same thing you did in their class. This will happen once to every artist. Critiques also help with the brainwashing. The peer response received can be taken seriously or freeze-dried bullcrap. First, you hang up your work from a standardized assignment. Then, your classmates look at your work and those who you are friends with will tear your apart. Be prepared for that. Your friends do not want to compete with other artists, as they are “only artist”. Therefore, your only option is to tear apart their works. The art life is always at a fast pace of getting things done for a general viewing. However, expect to lose a lot of sleep. One time my friend, Ryan Rowlett, fell asleep while holding an exacto-knife facing his face. His beard blocked most of the blade penatrating his gum. The depraved sleep will make you pick up smoking. It is best to buy by the cartons; it is cheaper than buying a pack a day. Otherwise, become an alcoholic by going to art openings. Many art functions have bartenders who never got their ABC licenses serving free wine and beer. It is always polite to accept the free drinks. Finding promiscuity involves the different partners. It is a claim that the pretty girls are insane or “free-spirits”, which is why most male artists are gay. Be aware of who you are seeing at the time because you will end up ten different relationships by the end of the year. In addition, if you do not remember whom you went out with, good luck. And stay away from the Photo-Majors! If you happen to find your significant other, expect to lose the sex once your other decides to channel his or her energies into their art. And that is when you are lucky! The jobs are nine out of ten guaranteed. If you want to be an artist’s assistant, that is not a good idea. It sounds great once you have it, with the free cigarette breaks and organizing expensive artworks. Once you drive the company car to Ourkansas, transporting a $40,000 painting and making the transaction in the back of a Burger King parking lot, you will understand. Otherwise, expect the life long ambition of designing video games and working at a one-hour photo store. There might be a job where you can draw caricatures at an art supply store. Oh, and be sure to ask about the tuition and blood for becoming a professor yourself! And remember what Daniel Clowes said, “The only piece of paper that is less valuable than your artworks is your degree.” And stay away from the Photo-Majors.    Jenny Hoyston (Erase Errata) and Anemone from California. They were great! I have some new photography recently but I have been busy with school! Tommy "nineteensomething" Kha Labels: photography, school, writing Thursday, November 01, 2007the one free thing in japan (for limited time only) Labels: hug, japan, photography Wednesday, October 10, 2007What A Mess Labels: cadets, photography, polaroids Wednesday, August 29, 2007Skate/Photo ShootAfter Nate landed this stylin trick chaos ensued.   Labels: black and white, photography, skateboarding, video Friday, August 10, 2007paris was everything we wanted it to be. Labels: black and white, idyllicism, photography Saturday, June 09, 2007new orleans on filmsometimes i doubt my ability or talent in photography, or anything else i do really. and then sometimes i see what i've been able to do.    i love film. if i had all the time (and patience) in the world, i would use it exclusively. nothing can replace its magic. it makes you see and understand better than digital. Labels: black and white, New Orleans, photography Thursday, June 07, 2007New Double Exposure/Fisheye SeriesThis was done all in the camera without the need of photoshop. This is magic here. Tommy "Forecast: Cloudy" Labels: photography Wednesday, June 06, 2007couple digital shots from last weekend   Labels: photography Monday, May 28, 2007Post-high schoolI've graduated high school. Started a livejournal:http://mythamok.livejournal.com/ And if you want to see the Warble if you are in Memphis, and managed to catch a Scandaliz Vandalistz show at the same time, COME TO the show at Printer's Alley this Friday. For now, photos of Eldorado and the Ruckus' last show....            I've been with this band longer than any other bands I've photographed over the last two years. An end to an era. One of them. Tommy "Long time" Labels: photography Thursday, May 17, 2007trashcollab keys tones club in mettry 4.21.07 photo by Cadet Rachel ilford delta 400 b&w film printed (?) by Cadet Leroy ilford fibre paper colored by Cadet Tom with the innuhnet Labels: photography, TRASH TRASH TRASH Sunday, April 29, 2007april 20, 2007 with alanna, brandon, and katie ilford delta 400 b&w film "hand-painted" in photoshop Labels: cadets, friends, idyllicism, photography Handjob SeriesA series of double exposures of my hand and the Warble through a fisheye. "Handjob Series".      Tommy "How many mornings do I have to wait around?" Labels: photography Thursday, April 26, 2007i wanna freely love youthere's been so much happening in my life these days. it's been a long while i think since i've posted some artwork. i don't have much to post. i've been working on an odd short story to help me cope with some things. i realize it's most likely grammatically incorrect, but i could care less. the link to that is at the bottom of this post. i also finally have my artist website up. i'd be honored if anyone took the time to look at it. i worked really hard on it.here's some visual art:  in the cards 7x7 c-print  untitled 8x10 digital print  father - photomontage representation of my father  mother - photomontage representation of my mother  distance - 5x5 c-print (parallels my short story) the little piece of driftwood Labels: artist website, cadet lydia, cadets, photography, writing Sunday, April 22, 2007New stuffValerie June:
Labels: photography, portraits Friday, April 20, 2007camellia grill reopens in riverbend.Camellia Grill is a trademark New Orleans diner. Operated by the same family for over 60 years before Hurricane Katrina, it became part of the heart and soul of Uptown New Orleans. After exchanging ownership, the Camellia Grill re-opened with a private preview day on April 20, 2007. It's just another sign of the slow but steady revitalization of New Orleans. The Camellia Grill accumulated hundreds of love letters in the form of Post-It notes on its façade in the over 20 months of its closing.  Harry Tervalon, 87, was present to cut the ribbon in the opening ceremony. He was a longtime head waiter at the diner.  New owner Hicham Khodr, Harry Tervalon, and a city councilman prepare to cut the ribbon during opening remarks.  Khodr receives a proclaimation in celebration of the re-opening of the Camellia Grill from city council members after the opening remarks.  Privileged citizens of New Orleans enjoy the first food off of the grill in 20 months.  New Orleans Police Department Captain Warren Riley was present to witness the re-opening of the diner, and to enjoy a meal.  A waiter presents a customer with a straw after the classic chocolate freezes are served.  The traditional linen napkins have reappeared at the Camellia Grill, keeping more than a touch of class.  Much of the wait staff from pre-Katrina Camellia Grill is also back. Everyone was in especially good spirits.  Love notes once again dotted the façade of the diner during the first meal of the day.  The Camellia Grill opens to the public on Saturday, and long, long lines are forecasted. Labels: black and white, New Orleans, photography Wednesday, April 18, 2007trash trash trash is a charter member of the art party           images courtesy of cadet rachel. Labels: cadets, photography, portraits, TRASH TRASH TRASH Saturday, April 07, 2007Double ExposuresI'm looking at the title, I think spelled exposures wrong. Oh well.      After taking photos of the Warble for a while, I wanted to try a new way to perceive them. I did a zooming technique and will post that here later. For now, enjoy these double exposures. Man, that looks spelled wrong.... Tommy "ADD took my baby away" Labels: black and white, photography, portraits Sunday, April 01, 2007The Shit That They Talk and the Trouble That BringEldorado and the Ruckus is breaking up so I went to their second to last show last night. Lighting was bad but people flashed their cameras constantly and I liked the results from it. Some are without another person's flash.      These are only a few out of the seventeen I kept. Tommy "It's a Ruckus thing" Labels: photography Monday, March 26, 2007ZoomsSo the other day, while reading what was new in the world on reddit.com, I came across this photography website about in-camera techniques.Now imagine how pissed I was. The website indulged in techniques I've been experimenting and listed: Panning Zoom while taking a photo Double exposures (which they claim you can do it on photoshop... not in the camera!). Nonetheless, I prove to challenge these techniques and make them mine somehow.  Tommy "Lights" Labels: photography Ponyhawks and the Boring Human Skulls @ OtherlandsWhen Chris Owen, Brockhamptons and the Warble combined....            Tommy "Say yes" Labels: photography Sunday, March 25, 2007Secret WindowI found this window sealed off in my friend's dorm. I naturally explored it with my friends Ben and Lindsay. And then, I decided to have some photos of it and came up with a story in ten minutes. It Started When He Left the Window Opened.  Something Wicked Hidden Away.  She Didn't See It Coming.  Until It Was Too Late.  It Only Heard Her.  She Fought.  But It Wasn't Enough.  But Enough for It.  Until She Was Gone.  Foever.... Sorry I haven't post anything lately. Kind of lazy but I've been pushing myself to finish things. Found out that I'm a lot happier when things get done. The Warble CDs are finally released. They are $10. Go to: www.myspace.com/thewarbles We put up new tracks. Tommy "Secret Windows of Opportunity." Labels: photography Thursday, March 22, 2007used    Labels: black and white, photography useless things   Labels: black and white, photography Sunday, March 11, 2007Warble Information and Brockhamptons, the Warble and Guests Photos The Warble will be releasing their album on March 31st at the De Cleyre Co-op. They will be playing March 24 at De Cleyre also. Friday night was a bad ass show with the Brockhamptons, A. Gerst and the Warble playing together along with guests, such as Chris Owen (back up), Ally (screams), Andy (interpreted dance), Tori (back up) and myself (back up, ha!).  Ashley Gerst with the Brockhamptons.  Ashley and Bill.  Billiam Bevan.  Ashley.  Chris Owen.  A stand still with Steve.  A group photo of some. Tommy "Shit faced" Labels: photography Monday, March 05, 2007Hell Hath No Fury  It Led to an Argument  But this happened before.  The pain.  The weapon.  The Bewitching Hour  The Revenge  She's done this before.  Always in the end  It's the same.  Are you next? For some reason, my last image didn't turn up so I had to link it. I hope I didn't break the upload link.... Tommy "Candles" Labels: photography Sunday, March 04, 2007A series of revelation    I like to thank Paul most of all for committing himself with this project of mine and participating in this shoot and the previous one. Hayley was also great to direct. Also thanks to her boyfriend John for letting me do this. Tommy "More to show or just check my buzznet" Labels: photography Saturday, March 03, 2007It's Called the Warble...       Tommy "A night with the Warble!" Labels: photography Friday, March 02, 2007The Bicycle Gang's First Hiaetus     Labels: photography Thursday, March 01, 2007Pre-GraduationI've started experimenting with other forms of art. So this is a sketch book and photoshop technology. High class shit flyer: The Wolfman is Chris Owen. The skulls represent the Vacant. The Warble Machine Inc. and the five heads at the bottom are the Warble in their Scooby Gang/Josie and the Pussycats personas. The alien PrissKilla Prezley fembot is Cori (who is on the Memphis Roller Derby), the flying head is Lynn and the flying saucer is the drummer (forgot his name). Alex from the Warble will be designing another flyer. But I wanted to show people what I can do. Tommy "Is it graduation yet?" Labels: Memphis, photography Tuesday, February 27, 2007To Lead a Better Life Labels: photography Monday, February 26, 2007february portraits.i like these people a lot. and because they say i never share. awe-struck brandon jovial and mystical aldo rachel with sketchbook leroy (also) for mayor warren and campo: two normal american boys a boy i met at a swanky suds social via cadet warsley (right) admiral alanna and jenny at the campfireLabels: cadets, New Orleans, photography, portraits Sunday, February 25, 2007farewell this graffiti has always been the most wonderful part of the walk down freret street. the burned down building was loyola's only frat house and still sits among all of tulane's, right next to both the schools.  today, when my mom and i walked past the house, the slab of wood had been partially painted grey, forever erasing the suicidal king of cards. i miss him already. i would really like to somehow find the artist, who was awesome enough to sneak over the fence and paint such a wonderful image for the pedestrians of freret. if you are s/he, please make contact. Labels: cards, frat house, graffiti, king, photography, sword burning bush i was intending to post this forever ago, when it actually happened (january 23), but i could never decide if i wanted to post more pictures than just this one. tom's post probably covered all my bases. except for mine are in color! if you're interested in more, let me know. so yes, this is from the state of the union party at the iron rail book collective in the marigny of new orleans. and yes, we are burning an effigy of the president. lagniappe:     Labels: anarchy, fire, fireworks, New Orleans, photography, president bush Thursday, February 22, 2007Homage to Nature I think very few things in the world are more beautiful than nature taking back what belongs to her - yes, nature is a lady, the most beautiful woman you will ever know. Defying the most resistant and durable of all humanly known inventions, she had been able to win, breaking and molding the brute concrete into rocks.   Even an artificial fence could not stand the surprising force of the beautiful lady that, in such a silent and yet pugnacious way. We might feel big, strong, impossible to defeat. But, in the end, she will triumph over our silly convictions. Labels: photography Vermont Labels: photography, Vermont Wednesday, February 14, 2007tornado tuesday."A powerful early-morning storm spawned at least one tornado that skipped across the New Orleans area Tuesday, destroying homes and a hotel in Westwego before crossing the Mississippi River and slamming the Carrollton and Gentilly areas." -The Times-Picayune, Tuesday, February 13, 2007 Damage is extensive on a house missing its entire façade on Freret Street between Broadway and Carrollton Avenues. Other houses on the block lost roofs, while still others were entirely untouched. Incredibly, no one was injured.  Powerlines are down all along the path of Tuesday morning's tornado. The Uptown New Orleans area suffered power outages from approximately 3AM into the evening.  A house on the 7800 block of Freret Street suffers damage to its roof, including impact from an airconditioning unit, slung against it by the F2 tornado that hit the neighborhood.  Wreckage from the storm paints a grim image of uncanny resemblance to the wind damage sustained by the area only a year and a half before from Hurricane Katrina.  Local and state police, as well as national guard troops and military police, spared no time in setting up a command camp in the Riverbend neighborhood of New Orleans on Carrollton Avenue.  Law enforcement officers meet in a Carrollton Avenue shopping center parking lot between Hampson and Maple Street where they have set up a command center in response to Tuesday's tornado. Police cruisers and national guard humvees inundated the area and overflowed onto the neutral ground.  Many levels of government response arrive at the scene of Orleans Parish's greatest destruction. Luckily there was not much incident at all after the tornado left the area.  National Guard troops are seen once again on the streets of New Orleans, dubbed "martial law city" by some in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Soldiers are a familiar but still unnerving sight to many in the city.  Locals do their best to help victims of the storm, and those trying to help them. The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana sent its "Hurricane Relief" vehicle to the scene; an ironic presence that it should appear now after New Orleans escaped the 2006 hurricane with no harm. Locals are more than cooperative and generous to everyone involved in the recovery from the storm. Labels: New Orleans, photography Thursday, February 08, 2007The Long and Winding Road  cheesey title, I know... but it fits. Labels: cadets, photography, portraits Wednesday, February 07, 2007New PhotosHaven't been on for a while. Planning a lot of new adventures of old Tommy.     If you're in Memphis Friday night, come to De Cleyre's for Sky Native (Chris Owen and Cole's new band), the Warble, Noise Choir and Jump Back Jake. Keg, music, co-operations and art in one night. Tommy "Flasher" Labels: Memphis, photography Saturday, February 03, 2007randomly digital(2006)  Labels: photography 56548  Labels: photography Thursday, February 01, 2007Untitled(2007)    Labels: photography Tuesday, January 30, 2007Groovy Roomies, Man Imagine sharing a roof with these crazies. Labels: cadets, photography, polaroids, portraits Friday, January 26, 2007concerned citizens.here is my brief follow-up to the photograph i posted on tuesday evening. this all went down at the Iron Rail/Plan-B warehouse on Decatur and Marigny in the Marigny district of New Orleans. The advertisement for the event, the "State of the Union Party," touted "Fireworks! Burning effigies!" and "Fire-breathing anarchists!" And, well, I think you'll see that these claims were not unfounded... the night started out with giant 8-foot in diameter hula hoops! this gentleman hulahooped with the best of them.  he was an expert, and also assisted with the filmings inside of the art space. on this night, he played mentor to the young girl on the right, who was soon hula hooping with great finesse.  inside the art space, kids from all over crowded in for food, drink, and a showing of the state of the union address and film "death of a president." during the first half of the presentation, the audience was encouraged to throw rotten vegetable matter at the screen.  then they brought the bush effigy out, which was once seated right of the viewing screen.  amidst some varied calls of, "no, you're not going to burn it, are you?" came answers...  of, "oh, yes we are!" the effigy was soaked with alcohol first.  and then after some trial and tribulation with lighters, surfaces to light, and other concerns...  it caught fire. in the background are two undercover detectives that came to the gathering in case if things got out of hand. they called for two squadron cars when things got louder, and their true identites were revealed.  chaos ensued once george REALLY got burning.  people interacted with their flaming president in many ways. here a young gentleman sees that the effigy's head is not adequately on fire!  george soon falls to pieces, much to the crowd's delight!  some begin to toast marshmallows on the open fire.  others simply come to warm themselves on the comforting glow.  fireworks also make an appearance, bursting into the sky, skipping gleefully along the streets, and making a genuine ruckus!  bam!  basking in the glow.  the collective stamps out their fires after the cops arrive. two police cruisers pull up after the fireworks get particularly intense. they were stationed about two blocks away towards the river since the beginning of the night. they demand that the collective cease all loud activity.  our hula-hooping friend from earlier talks to police, assuring them that everything is all right, and that the collective is just going to go back inside and watch another film. everyone wishes the police a good night. fin. Labels: black and white, fire, fireworks, New Orleans, photography, president bush Thursday, January 25, 2007New Orleans Walkabout      Labels: black and white, New Orleans, photography Wednesday, January 24, 2007destroying civilization.from tonight. more to come probably. i'll probably be able to edit this into a photo story. Labels: fire, photography, president bush Monday, January 22, 2007apple trees/jackolantern  Labels: photography Sunday, January 21, 2007I Did It Alanna I will be doing some singing with this band, Warble. My camera will be my instrument on stage, so photo taking while singing will ensue:    Click for more photos of the Warble playing at P&H. And if anyone is in town (Memphis), we should get together and I can show you the book I've got done. Tommy "Coffee table book?" Labels: Memphis, photography Thursday, January 18, 2007memphrica polaroïds.     Labels: Memphis, photography, polaroids Polaroids taken while working on a 35mm B&W series involving silverware and humans.    Labels: photography, polaroids Saturday, January 13, 2007Eightfold Path I decided to go on ahead and make more books. This photo above is going to be with this new book I'm putting together for a photo tells a story, based on Duane Michals' style, except everything is interconnected someway in years to come. Meaning, I will be adding to this book with other series for a complete story, no matter how the storylines in each one doesn't mesh. But here's a photo of the completed "Portraits of Memphis Musicians":  I'm making another copy of the Portraits of Memphis Musicians next week for my own copy. Tommy "Let the wolves have their sheep." Labels: black and white, Memphis, photography Tuesday, January 09, 2007By and ByScholastic week. Ensuing screams are heard.I printed half my book so far today! I will be able to make three copies! I have new photography so check these photos out:     Go to www.amokmyth.buzznet.com to check out my trip to Little Rock (I'm still uploading the tons of photos on there right now but they should be up) and my new material is coming up and yes, I talked to Ben. He said he'll post something. Tommy "Fuck the world and everybody wins." Labels: black and white, photography Polaroids 12-24-06   Labels: photography, polaroids Sunday, January 07, 2007Diamond in the Sky Labels: photography M'm'm'oney on ma' mind Labels: photography Mr. Sticks Labels: photography Mi Padre Labels: photography Olympic Peninsula Labels: photography Saturday, January 06, 2007skin Labels: photography, skin flagbox piermont, new york. Labels: photography Thursday, January 04, 2007Urban Exploration So, that's Kelso, a fellow photographer. Note to self: get Ben Siler to post on here. Um, ok, focusing; Kelso and I stumbled upon this giant milk jug. We found it somewhere on Bellevue (Memphis). So we go in and explore and found a plastic brown Owl, this weird box and a "Smoking" Sign. We went up to the top and found the Milk Jug. And a Triumph car on the roof! If you guys want to see more, you gonna have to go here: http://amokmyth.buzznet.com/user/journal/91775/ So yeah. Tommy "Song y'all." Labels: Memphis, photography The Photographer's RightsThis is an article I just wrote up to spread the word about the photographer's rights. This retells the incident that happened while I was out taking photographs with two of my photographer friends.The Photographer’s Right On Wednesday, January 3, 2006, I was with two of my photographer friends. We were on Ketchum, the street where Airways Middle School is located and the place we stopped, a transportation cargo load/unload place. My friend and I stayed in the car while our friend, Kelso, went to go take some photographs. As he left, a huge worker there came up to him. After a few minutes, I knew something was wrong. They preceded to demand his camera over, but this wasn’t confirmed until Kelso ran. He dropped one of his cameras which the huge guy picked up and kept. Kelso tried to get it back which almost ended in confrontation with the man and other co-workers who were coming out to back the huge man. Kelso decided not to precede in which would probably be a brawl. He got in the car and we drove off, minus a camera. What is important about this? Our rights as photographers. Almost everyone owns a camera and I did some research today (Thursday, January 4, 2006). Under the laws that I looked up, which are merely advise us on photographer’s right but not as legal standings: What the following these people did was illegal. As photographers, NO ONE, especially the police, can force us to take out camera, digital cameras or film. Only a court order can make us. Taking a photograph is not an act of terrorism not does it infringe on its “trade secrets”. Of course, Kelso did go into the area, but taking his camera is not a reasonably excuse to do so. There were no trespassing signs visible. I did not see any. The streets the car was parked on was public. But the main idea now is, these people DID NOT have the right to confiscate/take Kelso’s camera. For more information on photographer’s rights, please go to: USA Today Article (old) A .pdf file is available who wants to read this. http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm Tommy “Photographer’s Rights Now” Labels: photography Tuesday, January 02, 2007Cadet Leroy Labels: photography, polaroids Cadet Aldo & Cadet Evie  Labels: photography, polaroids Friday, December 22, 2006Memphis Music is Still AliveI'm printing my book next Wednesday and having it binded. Three copies are being made so far. One is going to be used to comission more copies to be made in order to sell them.I went to see Eldorado and the Ruckus and took this awesome photo, it wasn't double exposure:  Tommy "Ring of fire"Labels: black and white, Memphis, photography Thursday, December 21, 2006Carrollton Transit Stationwords and photography by Cadet Tom, Autumn 2006
Hurricane Katrina threw the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority and its streetcar system into disarray. Tracks and electric lines were torn apart, streetcars were flooded and rendered unusable, and a dispersed population and payroll left the RTA in a dreadful financial position. They are only now slowly getting back on their feet, and their most famous icon—the New Orleans streetcar—is making its return slowly but surely. The Carrollton Transit Station in the Carrollton neighborhood of Uptown is the epicenter of its revitalization. Dozens of streetcars from all of the New Orleans lines fill the storage floor and general assembly floor in the station. Some, most of the green St. Charles streetcars for example, are in great condition. Others—the 24 red Canal streetcars and six of the seven Riverfront streetcars—have varying amounts of damage. The Canal Station flooded during the storm, putting the streetcars inside out of use. They were eventually taken to the Carrollton Station.
They now lie waiting. Some cars are entirely gutted, others still full of scrap and trash from the flood. Still others are in better condition, although occasionally vandalized. One Canal streetcar has been graffiti tagged with the words “GET ME BACK ONLINE.” The artist might not have realized that he was not helping in realizing his request. Another is entirely covered on one side with more intricate graffiti. These are all remnants of Katrina’s troublesome effects. The RTA is working on remedying all of these troubles and getting everything back in working order. They are depending on their skilled engineers and well-equipped facilities to reach this end.
The engineers of the Carrollton Station are especially important. Many have been working on New Orleans streetcars for over 25 years. They are highly skilled at their work, which covers anything a streetcar could possibly need. There are carpenters, upholsterers, welders, mechanical engineers, painters, metal workers, electricians, and machinists. Raymond Perossier, a man who has done it all, busies himself with all aspects of streetcar maintenance at the station. He was trained by the last man whom he considered “knew everything” about the streetcars. Perossier is an integral employee at the station.
The facilities at the station are almost equally important. They range from tools used on the original streetcars that Perossier says are “older than your grandfather’s father,” to computerized machines that can complete a job that used to take a week in a matter of hours, to hydraulic lifts that can push up an entire streetcar ten feet into the air. Thanks to a thorough modernization in the 1990s, just about anything can be done with ease. Any part required for a streetcar can be manufactured right in the station. Several shops, including an electric shop, a millshop, an upholstery shop, a welding shop, and a metal shop are astride the storage floor and general assembly floor. There are also two painting chambers (called “spray booths”) where painters can paint anything from a chair to an entire streetcar.
Workers already had a lot on their hands before Katrina. There is an ongoing restoration project for the Saint Charles line, the home of which is the Carrollton Station. Day after day, workers have been taking apart and putting together the Saint Charles cars again. Right now, there is a special emphasis on the trucks of the cars—the assembly that contains the massive engines and wheels. Work takes place on the general assembly floor with welding and construction, and in machine shops with individualized attention to each component of the truck.
Everyone is hard at work at the station. Many are occupied with projects for the restoration of the Saint Charles streetcars, including Larry McKenzie and Allen Santee who have been working with the trucks on the general assembly floor, and Anthony Maggio and Lenny Reyes in the machine shop, who are working on perfecting individual components. In the spray booths, Mr. Stampley and Eric Blasch are painting everything that needs to be painted in that trademark green or red coat.
There are also several independent projects happening. In the metal shop, James Kimble has been making barbeques from scratch for the company picnic; a humorous reprieve from the serious work elsewhere at the station. “It’s actually a pain the ass,” he says. Nevertheless, he is proud of his final products, especially with the little metal “smokehouses” he has welded onto the top of every chimney.
Things are flowing smoothly at the Carrollton Transit Station, and service is being restored slowly but surely. In late November, the RTA decorated its streetcars for the holidays. Service is also set to be restored to the downtown section of St. Charles Avenue past Lee Circle by the end of 2006. The cars that lie in waiting now will soon be rolling out of the Carrollton Transit Station and into service.
Labels: black and white, New Orleans, photography Wednesday, December 20, 2006November 2006   Labels: photography Tuesday, December 19, 2006More photos? If any of you guys want to see more of my stuff, you can go here: amokmyth.buzznet.com Tommy "Song" Kha Labels: photography Tuesday, December 12, 2006Walking in Memphis book projectFor two months (excluding a year's worth of photographing musicians), I've been working on a photography book for myself among other things. Anyway, I thought that I might treat you guys to an excerpt. I'm Cadet Tommy by the way! I'm a digital photographer and I'm glad to be here. I hope that this post is appropriate. Tommy "How happy are we Boheme's Jen Whys" Labels: Memphis, photography Friday, December 08, 2006Inspire Greatness. Cadets Alanna, Warren, and Elvis. This is their actual height difference. Labels: photography, polaroids Tuesday, December 05, 2006hi friends. i've been working away on my photography, lugging around a freakishly heavy camera case containing a large format camera. i'm almost done with this class! and here are a few of my favorite shots from this semester. i hope you all like them as much as i do. the stoop  remnants at dawn (1/3)  remants at dawn (2/3)  remants at dawn (3/3)  untitled  untitled Labels: black and white, photography Saturday, November 25, 2006Ensnared An old picture. Taken back in 2003. Labels: photography, pictures Sunday, November 19, 2006...and you're gone (dum dum dum) Labels: photography, portraits Wednesday, November 15, 2006Desert SpringPhotos from Phoenix, Arizona. May 2005. The view from Taliesin West--Frank Lloyd Wright's house. The pool Pretty medallion. Sculptures set into a niche in the wall. I have no clue what they are. But they're waving at you. Buildings are dwarfed by the mountains and sky. More sculpture. Who the hell plants a lawn in the desert? The lush greenery makes a striking contrast with the stone and sand. The desert is beautiful when the cacti bloom. The moat/fountain/stream...um, thing.Labels: photography the color of infection Labels: photography Tuesday, November 14, 2006sparksi made this photograph this morning. his name is raymond. Labels: photography My first attempt at night photography. more photos Labels: black and white, photography Monday, November 13, 2006Black Old Hollow Labels: black and white, photography Sunday, October 29, 2006PHOTOESSAYAfter scouting it out on the evening of Friday, September 29th, Art Party Members Brandon, Alanna, Warren, and Tom visit the Valley of Trash during the daytime for a thorough investigation. Photos do follow! Mayoral Candidate Cadet Brandon Ledet and Art Party Pioneer Warren Pope walk the path to the Valley of Trash. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren mounts the first rig quickly. It was easily conquered the night before, and is already familiar territory. (Photo Tom Macom)  The Valley of Trash is likely home to many hobos, tramps, and "lost men," some of which enjoy sitting in chairs. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren is lithe and agile on the rigs. (Photo Tom Macom)  Mayoral Candidate Brandon (AP-LA) films trash, trash, trash. This includes both actual refuse strewn on the ground, and human members of the popular New Orleans band. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren continues to pioneer. (Not shown: his covered wagon; bonnet.) (Photo Tom Macom)  Rigs lie scattered everywhere, their inverted and horizontal ladders and staircases completely irrelevant. (Photo Tom Macom)  The Emergency Shut-In apparatus on one of the rigs stands useless. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren climbs a rig deeper into the Valley. (Photo Tom Macom)  Ferries and barges pass on the Mississippi river all day long, completely missing out on all of the fun. (Photo Tom Macom)  Trash trash trash? Only a fraction of the trashscape. (Photo Tom Macom)  Mysterious oxygen canisters stand in the Valley, occasionally letting off pressure in a frightening and loud manner. This is rather scary at night when you're not expecting it. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren walks all over the 53 ton rig. Many of the pieces were labeled according to weight, including a 75 ton tube. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren takes another approach to the 53 ton. (Photo Tom Macom)  Brandon films trash by the oxygen tanks in the Valley, as viewed through rig grating. (Photo Tom Macom)  Barnacles cover the lower portion of some of the rigs. They crackle and pop as you walk on them, as a scent reminiscent of a sea food restaurant wafts up at you. (Photo Tom Macom)  Alanna, xylophonist-extraordniaire and Art Party founder, documents the scene at the bottom of a tube. (Photo Tom Macom)  Pioneer Warren looks on as Alanna films baby crabs. Later, they dance on one of said baby crabs. (Photo Tom Macom)  Brandon grins at something that's probably completely insane. His hair looks good. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren eyes Alanna quizzically. (Photo Tom Macom)  Alanna ponders whether Cadet Aldo (not shown) will survive the imminent deadly tornado attack. (Photo Tom Macom)  Alanna converses with Cadet Ledet from inside the 75-ton tube. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren swings from a rope hanging from a still-erected rig on the shore. (Photo Tom Macom)  Comrade Tom and Pioneer Warren swing from the beautiful rig of love. (Photo Alanna Stewart)  Tom takes a close swing. He is utterly out of control. (Photo Alanna Stewart)  Swinging from giant rigs is good for many muscle groups, including the happy muscle, and the giant clam. (Photo Alanna Stewart)  The trashscape as seen from a still-standing rig. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren captures both ropes. (Photo Tom Macom)  And poses. (Photo Tom Macom)  Warren ascends stairs to the second platform of the right whilst Brandon and Alanna converse. (Photo Tom Macom)  Brandon and Alanna hang around the first landing, their highest point of ascent. (Photo Tom Macom)  Brandon and Alanna as seen from the roof grate. (Photo Tom Macom)  A defunct ITT Barton pressure gauge is one of many instruments found on the roof of the rig. (Photo Tom Macom)  A ska valve, a little known but very important component to petroleum rigs, is quickly attended to by Warren. (Photo Tom Macom)  Gauges and measuring contraptions are dispersed throughout the rig. (Photo Tom Macom)  Cadet Tom grasps a rope before taking off into outerspace. (Photo Alanna Stewart)  Cadet Tom and Warren pose for the camera. Sort of. (Photo Alanna Stewart)  Later at the fly, Cadet Warren rewards himself with a cold beverage which wears a shirt. (Photo Tom Macom)  Cadet Warren contentedly twists the cap off of his well-dressed drink. (Photo Tom Macom) fin Labels: black and white, New Orleans, photography, water
|
