The only people that are busy as all the elves in Santa’s workshop right now are artists working on the floats at Mardi Gras World
where 80% of the massive art on wheels that roll through the city during Mardi Gras are being made.
I wanted to share with you some shots I took when I previewed the floats for the Krewe of Orpheus at the Kerns Studios when I was in NOLA awhile ago.
Their theme that year was “On the Wings of a Dream” and these dreamy floats will be rolled through uptown on Lundi Gras.
I was sad to miss Mardi Gras in New Orleans that year, but instead I went to the mother of all Carnivals, the Carnival de Nice Parade of lights, the culmination of weeks of reveling here on the Côte d’Azur. I’ll do a write up of that someday. This year, I am excited to be going back to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I will be sharing more info on this great city and celebration so you can plan a trip there too.
The European Carnivals were the root of Mardi Gras, and the Nice Carnival is the earliest on record, dating back to 1294, when the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou spent the “the joyous days of Carnival” in Nice, click on Carnival history for more details.
Each year, each of the Krewe’s choose a different theme and the work begins the day after Mardi Gras to get all of the floats ready for the next year.
It was fascinating to go behind the scenes to see the endless creativity, intricate design work, labor, energy and attention to detail it takes to create these fantasy floats, up close and personal.
To get an idea of what they will look like in the parade, click on REX to see that organizations elaborately, beautiful parade of Royal Gardens, on the streets of New Orleans last year.
Of course, I am especially drawn to the floral themes, speaking of which, if you missed it last year click on Bataille De Fleurs to indulge in The Battle of Flowers, the beautiful floral parade that happens during the day in Nice.
Here’s a look at the floral area of the Kern’s Warehouse where, petals, leaves and stamens abound.
These pieces are artfully put together to create incredible botanically accurate floral displays.
I love all of the complex detail, like how they add streamers to the stamens to show the movement that attracts the pollinators in nature.
Thank you for coming along on my adventures, I hope you are finding a beautiful way to brighten these final days of winter.
Laissez le bon temps rouler!
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