International art biennial revives New Orleans

Ever since Hurricane Katrina pounded the Gulf Coast, the news coming out of New Orleans has been grim. The crumbling infrastructure, rising crime, and a housing crisis exacerbated by contaminated FEMA trailers are among the familiar gloom and doom dispatches. But in the last few weeks the story coming out of the Big Easy has been remarkably sunnier. Thanks to Prospect.1, the largest biennial of international art ever, New Orleans is being seen as a vital city with an unparalleled artists’ community. The biennial lasts through January 18th. For a look at how Prospect.1 has transformed New Orleans we are joined by Lolis Eric Elie, the metro columnist for the Times Picayune.