The Louisiana State Museum, in collaboration with the famous Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac in Paris, has announced the opening of a new exhibition, Mystery in motion: masking and African-American spirituality at Mardi Gras [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com].

In addition to a breathtaking exhibition in the presbytery, several virtual programs are also offered in connection with the program.

This new exhibit inside the Rectory in Jackson Square examines the direct influence of multicultural spirituality on the carnival traditions of blacks in New Orleans. Due to the pandemic, you won’t find many masked black Indians on the streets this carnival season, but you will see their elaborate costumes and learn about their use and inspiration in the museum’s galleries. The exhibition will be presented in time for the Mardi Gras weekend, from February 13, 2021 to November 28, 2021, and will be the centerpiece of the museum’s planned programming to celebrate the 2021 carnival season.

“Mystery in Motion is a groundbreaking exhibit highlighting the vibrant carnival traditions of New Orleans’ black community and it provides a great way to safely celebrate Mardi Gras during this current pandemic,” the Lieutenant Governor said Billy Nungesser.

Mystery in Motion guest curators Kim Vaz-Deville, Ph.D., and Ron Bechet of Xavier University in Louisiana explore spirituality at Mardi Gras through the presentation of more than two dozen black Indian costumes, costumes from carnival and masking objects produced in New Orleans, juxtaposed with extraordinary African artifacts that are representative of the cultures, religions and art that influenced their creation. These exceptional African objects will be loaned from the collections of the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Museum and the University of the South of New Orleans.

“There is so much going on on Mardi Gras that it’s impossible to take in all the sights, sounds and experiences. The intention of the exhibit is to provide an opportunity to contemplate the spiritual dimensions of the African-American Mardi Gras masking that are hidden in plain sight, ”said Kim Vaz-Deville, Ph.D.

“Some mysteries can be solved. The Mystery in Motion exhibition reveals to a wider audience the depth of meaning and sources of inspiration of some extraordinary carnival practices, ”added Ron Bechet, Victor H. Labat art professor at Xavier University.

After the exhibition has passed through the Presbytery, it will be part of a larger exhibition, The Black Indians of New Orleans, at the Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac museum, tentatively scheduled for 2022.

In addition, several virtual events will be held in conjunction with the exhibition which are Free and open to the public:

On Tuesday, February 9 at 6 p.m., Kim Vaz-Deville, Ph.D., will participate in a virtual conversation about the exhibit, examining how African, Islamic, Native American and European belief systems have merged to create a set of cultural practices and arts specific to New Orleans and Carnival. Registration is required [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com] for the event as part of the Tulane Alumni Association’s “Mardi Gras Goes Virtual” series.

Every Wednesday, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. from February 24 to March 31, the teaching artist Ausettua AmorAmenkum will host a dance class entitled African Dance in New Orleans: Online Class at Louisiana State Museum [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com]. The six-week course will explore African traditions and influences on New Orleans culture and dance. To register visit the the course event page [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com].

On Thursday February 25 at 6 p.m., you can join A virtual evening with the curators: Mystery in motion: African-American masking and spirituality at Mardi Gras [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com] via Zoom as guest curators share exhibition highlights and insight into the curatorial process with Louisiana State Museum historian Karen Leathem. Registration is available on the event page [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com].

Finally, a special virtual blessing of the exhibition on the opening day will be displayed on the museum website. Instagram [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com] and Facebook [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com] pages.

For more information on Mystery in Motion: African American Masking and Spirituality in Mardi Gras or guest curators Kim Vaz-Deville, Ph.D., and Ron Bechet, visit The Louisiana State Museum exhibit webpage [link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com].

The exhibition is supported by the Friends of Cabildo, the Louisiana Museum Foundation, Xavier University of Louisiana, the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South, the Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.