After dinner on Tuesday, July 11, we did get off the boat to visit this magnificent and meaningful Mother River Statue, just next to where our boat was docked.
Me, touching the Mother River Statue in New Orleans, to give you an idea about its enormous size.
It was already 7:30 PM so probably not the best light...
This is the spot where the above photo is taken, the bridge is visible too.
Quite impressive to see this huge Mother River Statue, against our cruise ship America.
Our cabin is just right from that street lantern, the 2nd window with balcony on the 4th deck and below those red words America. You also can see the Pilot House on the 5th deck, in the front.
There was an exit door right outside of our cabin, from the center hallway, exiting to the outside deck in front of the boat where I've taken the previous videos shown.
One video I took also from the upper deck, all the way to the right (back of ship).
Such beautiful artwork this Mother River Statue!
Mother River Statue in NOLA = New Orleans, Louisiana
Americans LOVE abbreviations!
By sculptor Joseph Cleary
MOTHER RIVER
THIS SCULPTURE REPRESENTS THE POWER, BEAUTY AND
HISTORY OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. HER OUTSTRETCHED HANDS
SYMBOLIZE THE SOURCE OF THIS GREAT WATERWAY WHICH
STRETCHES FROM PRACTICALLY THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE
GULF OF MEXICO. HER ROBES AND DRAPES EXPRESS THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER'S CONSTANT FLOW THROUGH THE HEARTLAND
OF THE UNITED STATES UNTIL IT CONVERGES HERE, CREATING
THE GREAT PORT OF NEW ORLEANS. THE FIGURES AT HER FEET
REPRESENT THE NUMEROUS TRIBUTARIES WHICH FEED INTO
THE MISSISSIPPI. THE RELIEF SCULPTURE ON HER BASE DEPICTS
THE ACTIVITIES ALONG THE RIVER INCLUDING THE MEN, WOMEN
AND MACHINES OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY IN THE STATE
OF LOUISIANA.
THIS STATUE IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTION WHICH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS MADE AND
WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TO OUR NATION. MY THIS
SCULPTURE FOREVER EXPRESS THE POWER AND GRANDEUR OF
THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI; A SALUTE TO THE MARINERS AND
SHORE WORKERS MAKING OUR PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFE
AND PRODUCTIVE
MURPHY J. FOSTER, GOVERNOR
MARCH 8, 2001
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
JAMES M. BALDWIN, JR
WALTER J. BOASSO
DONALD T. BOLLINGER
BERNARD L. CHARBONNET. JR.
DAVID GUIDRY
FRANCIS E. LAURICELLA
DAVID P. SCHULINGKAMP
J. RON BRINSON, PRESIDENT & CEO
ARTHUR Q. DAVIS - ARCHITECT
JOSEPH CLEARY - SCULPTOR
It was nearly impossible for finding any information about this great sculptor Joseph Cleary and this from askART Joseph S Cleary was the best I could find!
Also in a September 2007 Orinda Historical Society Newsletter he got mentioned.
Thank you for your visit!
Our cabin is just right from that street lantern, the 2nd window with balcony on the 4th deck and below those red words America. You also can see the Pilot House on the 5th deck, in the front.
There was an exit door right outside of our cabin, from the center hallway, exiting to the outside deck in front of the boat where I've taken the previous videos shown.
One video I took also from the upper deck, all the way to the right (back of ship).
Americans LOVE abbreviations!
THIS SCULPTURE REPRESENTS THE POWER, BEAUTY AND
HISTORY OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. HER OUTSTRETCHED HANDS
SYMBOLIZE THE SOURCE OF THIS GREAT WATERWAY WHICH
STRETCHES FROM PRACTICALLY THE CANADIAN BORDER TO THE
GULF OF MEXICO. HER ROBES AND DRAPES EXPRESS THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER'S CONSTANT FLOW THROUGH THE HEARTLAND
OF THE UNITED STATES UNTIL IT CONVERGES HERE, CREATING
THE GREAT PORT OF NEW ORLEANS. THE FIGURES AT HER FEET
REPRESENT THE NUMEROUS TRIBUTARIES WHICH FEED INTO
THE MISSISSIPPI. THE RELIEF SCULPTURE ON HER BASE DEPICTS
THE ACTIVITIES ALONG THE RIVER INCLUDING THE MEN, WOMEN
AND MACHINES OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY IN THE STATE
OF LOUISIANA.
CONTRIBUTION WHICH THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER HAS MADE AND
WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TO OUR NATION. MY THIS
SCULPTURE FOREVER EXPRESS THE POWER AND GRANDEUR OF
THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI; A SALUTE TO THE MARINERS AND
SHORE WORKERS MAKING OUR PORTS AND WATERWAYS SAFE
AND PRODUCTIVE
MURPHY J. FOSTER, GOVERNOR
MARCH 8, 2001
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
JAMES M. BALDWIN, JR
WALTER J. BOASSO
DONALD T. BOLLINGER
BERNARD L. CHARBONNET. JR.
DAVID GUIDRY
FRANCIS E. LAURICELLA
DAVID P. SCHULINGKAMP
J. RON BRINSON, PRESIDENT & CEO
ARTHUR Q. DAVIS - ARCHITECT
JOSEPH CLEARY - SCULPTOR
Thank you for your visit!
Related links:
Pilot House and Upper Deck of the America | previous post by me
Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana | previous post by me
Baton Rouge and Rosedown Plantation, Louisiana | previous post by me
Houmas House the Sugar Palace in Darrow, Louisiana | previous post by me
Aboard the America Cruising on the Mississippi River | previous post by me
Our Long Awaited Mississippi River Cruise | previous post by me
Our Long Awaited Mississippi River Cruise | previous post by me
The Roosevelt New Orleans with View of Mississippi and French Quarter + New Orleans Cooking School | previous post by me
7th North American Mushroom Conference at The Roosevelt in New Orleans | previous post by me
Good morning Mariette.
ReplyDeleteOhhh! Such huge Mother River statue. The first photo of that powerful statue and you together is lovely.
Thank you for the closed up photos. I think I read to underst about what the statue represents.
It is raining here. I will be at home all day.
Happy day to you and Pieter.
Dearest Tomoko,
DeleteIt was indeed huge, once close to it. It sure represents a lot and it is very meaningful.
Glad you could grasp the meaning and for the purpose of being able to translate it, I did type the words...
We have had lovely sunny weather but once again on Wednesday and Thursday night it will be near freezing.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette. That’s a beautiful sculpture and oh so huge! I love the third photo where it’s photographed with cruise ship in the background. Wonder why there is not much info about sculptor.
ReplyDeleteHave a great new week, Mariette!
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteOh, from a distance one has no idea how huge it is in reality.
Guess the modern age people don't appreciate that much such a magnificent sculptor.
At least I did do my best in order to give him proper credit; so well deserved!
Happy week to you as well and hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful statue! Thank you for this really interesting post!
Have a wonderful new week,
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteIt sure is some real art work!
Happy new week to you as well and hope it will get warmer.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, At first I thought that the Mother River statue was an old one, and was surprised to see from the inscriptions that it only dates from 2001, and that the sculptor is still around! Public art adds so much to a city.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Dearest Jim,
DeleteNo, this was not yet around in 1988 when we first came to the Mississippi river in New Orleans. That sculptor is in his early 90s now. Wonder if he ever got to see his work erected in Japan...
Such realistic public art is a treasure!
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas ist zum Staunen und Bewundern.
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteJa da hast du Recht und man kann es nur bewundern.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Doe je bericht open en zie me toch een groen super beeld wat enorm!Fijne dag,Joan
ReplyDeleteBeste Joan,
DeleteJa, onze wereld kent nog èchte artiesten en dat is geweldig.
Ook een mooie week en ik stuur wat zon mee.
Liefs,
Mariette
Wauw...dat beeld is inderdaad erg groot.En zo'n mooi patina er op..
ReplyDeleteWat een mooie "boot" is dat cruiseschip zo op de achtergrond op de foto...
Beste Marian,
DeleteJa, het beeld is echt bewonderenswaardig gróót en toch nog zo mooi reëel!
Een geweldige artiest om dat zo te kunnen weergeven. Hij schilderde overigens ook.
De combinatie met ons cruiseschip vond ik ook heel bijzonder.
Liefs,
Mariette
A stunning statue, love the green colour. Lovely photos Mariette.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sami,
DeleteYes, the green patina is lovely! Thank you for your visit and comment.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette! Beautiful statue! Have a nice evening
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteYes it was so impressive and beautiful. Great artist and may he be around for some more years!
Stay warm and cozy and sending you hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteThe symbolize the source of the great waterway which gulf of mexico her robes and drapes express The Mississippi River's! The great port of new sculptor's, Tributaries which feed into the Mississippi, Old live oak tree,fall it was husband support thing old oak tree,has lush gardens! 2012, Thank you for your photos of both of there!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko san,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed it all and yes, the time for lush gardens is coming soon our way again with spring slowly arriving.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
As I shared on my recent Jambalya recipe post, I have yet to travel to New Orleans, so I look forward to seeing the places you go there, Dearst Mariette! I'm coming along with you! Hope you eat some delicious meals too. :)
ReplyDeleteDearest Debra,
DeleteYes, we actually did enjoy some delicious Cajun food very recently while being back in New Orleans!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteHave enjoyed reading back about your wonderful Mississippi River cruise and seeing your lovely photos. Looks like a wonderful trip.
Also enjoyed seeing the Mother River Statue - it is grand.
Happy new week
hugs
Carolyn
Dearest Carolyn,
DeleteYes, it was one of those remarkable trips we enjoyed together.
Makes for fond memories forever and the Mother River Statue was perfect for rounding it up.
Hugs,
Mariette
It's a beautiful statue. When I was working in downtown New Orleans, my friends and I would walk to the River Walk on our lunch break. The statue wasn't there way back then.
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteOh, the River Walk has changed so much even for us since our first trip in 1988. But it is always special and so impressive with its big bridges over the Mississippi river.
The statue is a real asset and so perfectly done!
Hugs,
Mariette
Uma escultura fantástica e imponente.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Dearest Francisco Manuel,
DeleteYes indeed a very impressive and fabulous statue!
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteeine wunderschöne Skulptur. Danke fürs Zeigen.
Liebe Abendgrüße schickt
Irmi
Liebe Irmi,
DeleteJa, zum Abschluß unserer Kreuzfahrt war es sehr schön diese riesige Skulptur.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Dear Mariette, this Mother River statue is indeed very impressive and meaningful!
ReplyDeleteIt is also impressive that it was sculpted by the artist in a very advanced age!!
I enjoyed very much your previous posts covering the beautiful Houmas house, Rosedown and Oak Valley plantations. The houses are so beautiful and so are the giant oak trees!
I understand you would have loved some more time for visiting the gardens!
Many hugs!
Marie-Anne
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteDon't you love the fact that indeed an artist, his age from 1926, managed to deliver such artwork?!
Oh, one could linger for a week near those romantic plantations and wander through their lush gardens.
It is forever in our memory...
Hugs,
Mariette
O passeio me pareceu muito agradável e tranquilo, Mariette. Espero que tenham aproveitado com bom divertimento e novos conhecimentos.
ReplyDeleteDeixo um abraço do Brasil e carinhos para ótimos felizes.
Querida Maria Glória,
DeleteSim, este foi um sonho muito aguardado se tornar realidade e nós gostamos muito!
Abraços,
Mariette
Thank you very much for writing in my language. Gentleness and delicacy! A big hug and kisses Mariette.
DeleteDearest Maria Glória,
DeleteYou are most welcome!
Hugs,
Mariette
The size is certainly surprising.
ReplyDeleteDearest Janey,
DeleteOne can only admire the precision, even at this huge size!
Hugs,
Mariette
Great.
ReplyDeleteDearest Regine,
DeleteThank you so much for your visit here; quite an effort on your behalf.
Hope you enjoyed it.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteyou are still special good memories of the Mother river statue 12-February March in 2015, Mississippi River.Oak trees plantations house are so beautiful so much of your and husband has too!
Hugs and love to both!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko,
DeleteYes, we always will have a very special memory of this huge Mother River statue.
You are sweet to say that our house is beautiful too; we treasure it and it was nice to see those huge plantations but for living there would be too much.
Hugs,
Mariette