Unveiling Louisiana's Creole Heritage: A Collaboration of Language and Lens
Arnaudville--The NUNU Arts and Culture Collective recently hosted a unique residency in April. It allowed linguist Dr. Oliver Mayeux and photographer Cécile Smetana to delve into the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana's Creole communities. Dr. Mayeux, a seasoned NUNU resident with years of experience (since 2017), hails from the University of Cambridge, UK. His passion lies in the Louisiana Creole language, and his annual NUNU residencies allow him to conduct vital field research. Joining him was Cécile Smetana, a renowned documentary photographer whose work has graced prestigious platforms like The New Yorker and National Geographic. Smetana, based in Paris, France, brings a wealth of experience working in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans' 9th Ward. Their pilot project marks a fascinating collaboration. By intertwining documentary photography with documentary linguistics, Mayeux and Smetana aim to illuminate the emotional impact of linguistic and cultural loss, while also highlighting resilience within historically Creole-speaking communities and families. |
