Constance: Delicate Burdens

Constance is a staggering collection of work by writers and artists living in post-Katrina New Orleans. The second issue, “Delicate Burdens,” comprises works of prose, poetry, photography, painting, graphic design, and performance art. Between the folds of its washed out cover, the notion of a place to call home is made fraught by environmental trauma and psychological unease. There’s a sense of questioning throughout–but the very existence of the anthology speaks to the potential of a resilient, if not altogether triumphant, human spirit. It’s something kind of like hope. Lee Crum and Nessim Higson’s photo/design collaboration incites visual questions of human emotion in the wake of the storm. Susan Gileson’s poem “Why I Live Below Sea Level” offers an eerie explanation of her reasons for keeping New Orleans home. And Tony Nozero’s paintings dare viewers to keep looking before they wash away.

“Delicate Burdens” is creatively and editorially directed by Erik Kiesewetter and Patrick Strange. It is available for purchase online now.