“Street Send-off” by Kristin Fouquet

“The temperature in New Orleans dipped below freezing on a Tuesday night, December 28, 2010. In an abandoned 9th Ward warehouse, squatters burned debris in a barrel seeking warmth. Eight of them and four dogs perished in the deadly blaze resulting from this desperate act of survival.”

New Orleans artist Kristin Fouquet shares her photo essay of the second line, a traditional New Orleans send-off, a walking memorial.

Street Send Off, by Kristin Fouquet  (download the PDF)

Street Send-off
a photo essay by Kristin Fouquet

The temperature in New Orleans dipped below freezing on a Tuesday night, December 28, 2010. In an abandoned 9th Ward warehouse, squatters burned debris in a barrel seeking warmth. Eight of them and four dogs perished in the deadly blaze resulting from this desperate act of survival. Homeless shelters had many available beds on this evening. Yet, many rejected the provided social services along with the stigma of the label “homeless.” Friends and acquaintances of the deceased said while some were locals, others preferred to be called “travelers,” often hopping trains to move about the country. These travelers were transient youths attracted to the bohemian culture and lifestyle of New Orleans. Burned beyond recognition, some remain unidentified, but others have been described as bicycle welders, musicians, and other artists.

The second line is a traditional New Orleans send-off. It is a walking memorial behind a brass band. In the past, it was reserved for musicians and other prominent citizens. In recent years, makeshift second lines have occurred all over the city, sometimes with a city permit; other times without one. On January 15th, 2011, a crisp sunny Saturday afternoon, the squatters’ second line flowed down Frenchmen Street in the Faubourg Marigny, the site for this photo essay. Musicians, who may or may not have played together before, formed the band. The second line followed with mourners burning incense, producing a poignant smoky reminder of the cause of death. Others carried handmade signs memorializing the deceased. While this was a noble send-off for those who chose an unconventional lifestyle, many societal questions remain.

Photographs by Kristin Fouquet. You can visit her website here.