Despite the countless noteworthy cities scattered across the United States, a relatively small one in southeastern Louisiana garnered a unique eminence that stands distinctly from the others. New Orleans’ inherent weirdness and nonchalant demeanor top the list of its bizarre characteristics. It fosters sin and in the summer especially, it’s pretty close to hell. However sinister the description, the city is remarkable and undisputedly fun. New Orleans’ deep, eccentric past embodies an absurdly large amount of renowned art, music, architecture and food. The city cemented its place in history several times over. But, absolutely none of that affects the merchandise sold by tourist traps and street vendors. No historically significant events or treasured cultural moments funnel into the products. That’s not a rare practice, and the exclusions really act as the standard for any items marketed toward out-of-state visitors or other potential consumers. Finding a wearable souvenir in Las Vegas without dice, playing cards, or a roulette wheel remains an admirable accomplishment. Similar to Sin City, New Orleans houses amazing gambling establishments, but most of the merchandise focus on other areas. Alligators, jazz musicians, Mardi Gras masks, voodoo dolls and Bourbon Street signage splatter across every product imaginable. No shirt, apron, coffee mug or snow globe escapes the city’s played out, stereotypical imagery, but the products fulfill their purpose. Although predictable, what else would New Hampshire tourists want to document their trip to one of the most ludicrous places on the planet? A ceramic mug with an intoxicated man straddling a street sign while drinking sums up most experiences accurately. Sweatshirts detailing French colonization doesn't really have the same effect. Per usual, the vintage iterations retain the same ethos but cross even further into absurdity. Fluorescent carnival imagery, personified animals and significant bars span across various products in slightly different variations. (The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rip is a localized, pop-culture referencing gem!) However tacky and kitsch the subject matter, the items are staples in every big city. New Orleans can’t claim iconic graphics like “I Love New York”, but in typical form we produce outlandish iterations with unmistakable origins.
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AuthorMax Theriot Archives
November 2019
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