Bourbon Street art installation honors Jan. 1 terror attack victims
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The Second Line in the Sky art installation will feature 822 prayer flags strung up above the 100-300 blocks of Bourbon Street beginning Dec. 1. Images: Courtesy of Studio West
A new memorial will light up across lower Bourbon Street on Monday night in honor of the victims of the Jan. 1 terror attack.
Why it matters: The gesture brings a beautifully poignant reminder of how 2025 started, and the loved ones who will celebrate the holidays without certain family and friends this year.
Zoom in: The installation includes hundreds of prayer flags and lighted sculptural elements like umbrellas and trumpets. It's all been suspended with globe lights over the first three blocks of Bourbon Street off Canal Street.
- Crisscrossing the sky, the artistic commemoration features 822 unique flags, each designed with photography by Judy Cooper and Jamell Tate. Those in the first block include family notes, survivor messages and names of those who died, according to collaborator Jennie West of Studio West.
- Katy Casbarian of Arnaud's Restaurant originally conceptualized the project. It will remain on view through Jan. 18.
What they're saying: Nothing like this had been installed before, West tells Axios New Orleans, so getting the project permitted and approved meant wrangling nearly two-dozen city agencies.
- Between all those conversations, West says, "it really feels like a community project all around."
Catch up quick: The vehicle attack took place in the early morning hours of Jan. 1 when a Texas man purposefully drove a truck into Bourbon Street crowds.
- The attack, which officials described as an act of domestic terrorism, killed 14 people and injured dozens of others. Police also killed the suspect.
If you go: A public lighting ceremony will take place Monday at 5:45pm at the intersection of Bourbon and Bienville Streets.
- Gov. Jeff Landry and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno are scheduled to speak.
What we're watching: A permanent memorial is still in the works, state officials have said.