Exploring stories and enjoying whiskey inside a floating structure on the bayou
In the heart of Louisiana, a unique voyage is underway. A shanty boat, named after the simple, makeshift homes built on water, is cruising through the state's intricate network of bayous. This floating abode is part of a project called "A Secret History of American River People," led by Wes Modes, a multidisciplinary artist and college professor specializing in digital visualization.
The shanty boat, constructed with the help of friends back in Felton, California, and refashioned from a chicken coop, is currently moored at a marina in Houma, Louisiana, a city of 31,000 situated on Bayou Terrebonne. The vessel has been the home and workplace for Modes and his companions for the summer, as they navigate the waters of the Red River, Atchafalaya, and various southern Louisiana bayous.
The project, unattached to any institution and funded by limited grants, crowdsourcing, and personal savings, aims to record interviews with people about art, music, food, wildlife, work, and family histories. R.J. Molinere, a native of Houma with ancestral ties to the native Houma people, is one such interviewee. Molinere gained unusual fame due to being cast on the reality TV show "Swamp People."
During the interview, Molinere shared his deep connection to the bayou, considering it his home. He described the bayou's distinct smell, sound, and feel, painting a vivid picture of the environment. Despite initially feeling unhelpful, Molinere's conversation was valued by Modes, who reassured him that the discussion was worthwhile.
The journey, however, is not without its challenges. The heat and humidity are torturous during the day, causing people to remove their shirts and seek refuge. Yet, the scenery is captivating, with the boat surrounded by barges carrying petrochemical products and lined by a galvanized horizon of pipes and flares from nearby plants.
Adrian Nankivell, a friend of Modes, joins the journey and helps navigate the boat. The project has been ongoing for more than a decade and has traveled over various river systems across the country. The boat is currently traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway in Louisiana, with Modes planning to end the trip in New Orleans.
As the journey continues, the shanty boat serves as a floating testament to the rich history and culture of America's river people, capturing their stories and sharing them with the world through videos, blog entries, and a detailed catalog of interviews on the project's website.
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