In the autumn of 2005, the Lower 9th Ward, a multi-cultural precinct in the east of New Orleans, was devastated in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Today this quarter of the city is an enormous wasteland, with nothing to remind people of the community atmosphere of this historic part of the city.
A hybrid of art, architecture, cinema and media,
The Pink Project was conceived as an informational, commemorative, communication tool to raise awareness and activate individual involvement in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
150 randomly scatted pink-clad structures were erected to occupy 14 city blocks within the Lower 9th Ward, symbolizing the vision for future housing for the areas residents.
The installation of 150 pink houses started as 429 pink geometric shapes scattered over the 14-square block site where real
Make it Right homes would later be built. As donations came in to sponsor the cost of a real house, the pieces of the symbolic houses were “righted” on their lots.
The Pink Project inspired tens of thousands of people to contribute 12 million dollars. It was a potent and pivotal event that brought global attention to the challenges and possibilities of rebuilding the Lower 9th Ward.
http://stylemetothemoon.com/scapes/the-pink-project-new-orleans/
