A lasting legacy of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is that New Orleans, once again, has a large and thriving Hispanic community.  With thousands of homes needing gutting after moldering for weeks in the stagnant and filthy flood waters and with countless roofs requiring repair, Mexican and Honduran laborers flocked to the ravaged city to perform these grueling and sometimes gruesome tasks.  Many remained in the city and have rejuvenated the always present Hispanic culture of New Orleans, which has roots dating from the Spanish Colonial period of the late eighteen century.  In recognition of this Hispanic community, Newcomb Gallery is hosting an exhibition of the photographs of Michael Berman and Julián Cardona entitled “The History of the Future/La historia del future” at the Woldenberg Art Center on Tulane University campus.

The opening reception for “The History of the Future/La historia del future” is on Saturday, May 14th,   from 5 to 7 pm at the Woldenberg Art Center on Tulane University campus.  Newcomb Gallery always has entertaining opening receptions, this time including live music and food -  no doubt with a Hispanic flavor. 

In conjunction with the exhibition, New York performance artist and recent Bywater resident, José Torres-Tama will perform his evocative and engaging “Aliens Are Coming” on Friday, May 13 at 7 pm in the Freeman Auditorium in the Woldenberg Art Center.

On Saturday, May 14thfrom 3 to 5 pm, there will be a panel discussion on “The History of the Future, Beyond the Border of Mexico and the US” with photographers Julián Cardona and Michael Berman, writers Charles Bowden and Yuri Herrera-Gutierrez,  and curator Nancy Sutor which will be moderated by Dr. James Huck, of the Stone Center for Latin American Studies.

Located at the Woldenberg Art Center, the Newcomb Art Gallery, (gallery@tulane.eduand www.newcombartgallery.tulane.edu) is still accessible from Willow Street despite the on -going construction.  The Freret Street entrance to campus has been recently blocked off to cars and is only open to pedestrian traffic.  There are several metered parking spaces in front of the gallery designated for visitors.  The exhibition “The History of the Future/La historia del future” is open until from May 11thto June 29th, 2011, on Tuesday through Sunday and is free of charge.