The Danse Macabre

"New Orleans is a city of contradictions: comedy and tragedy, sacred and secular, profound and profane; steeped heavily in tradition and religion yet drenched in decadence and debauchery. New Orleans Unmasked reveals the city's rebellious and humorous spirit, which celebrates life in the face of disaster and death. In this street-level tableau of New Orleans culture, photographer Cheryl Gerber portrays the city's rich and famous while paying homage to the everyday people who make life so special in her hometown. Colorful shots of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, second lines, and other iconic moments of New Orleans culture are juxtaposed with images of the homelessness, crime, and racism that are equally central to life in the Crescent City. Other image pairings depict Southern Decadence revelers clashing with religious protesters, Catholic traditions merging with voodoo, and New Orleanians from all walks of life expressing themselves through satire and parody. Gerber also pays tribute to departed icons of New Orleans life, celebrating the funerals (and legacies) or Pete Fountain, Chef Leah Chase, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Dr. John, and many more. In New Orleans Unmasked, Gerber weaves an indelible narrative of the city's transformation since its racial reckoning, glaringly exposed during Hurricane Katrina. Though racial and class divisions still linger, Gerber makes one thing certain: "No matter our stations in life, no matter our dark and cruel history, we know that disaster and death unite us all. "-