Activating English, Fall 2012: Aurelie's "Cultural informant project"

For this project, I wanted to interview someone that had a good knowledge of New Orleans, an original story and at some point, a particular relation with this city. Then I decided to interview Jonathan Bertuccelli, an Italian American artist that builds for many years, floats, walking heads, paper maché creations, movie and theater sets, hotels and restaurants decorations, etc. He owns Studio 3 inc., the business created by his father forty years ago, and works in a giant warehouse in Mid City.

Jonathan's father, Raul Jonathan Studio 3

This talk was very stimulating and productive. I tried to build my interview around different topics that concerns New Orleans and the United States more globally as well. For instance, we approached with my interviewee subjects such as Mardi Gras, Hurricane Katrina, racism, football, etc. New Orleans is really a particular city that one may qualify as "the most un-American city in this country" like said Jonathan during the interview; this is certainly the heart of many problems but also the reason why this city is so loveable.

It was instructive to listen about Mardi Gras in New Orleans from the inside, from someone that works in this industry and realize that the real object of these festivities is more beads and beer than art and celebration of the heritage. Jonathan has a very realistic point of view and express his creativity in many others ways (photo : Mardi Gras float in Viareggio, Italy)

We also talk about the difficulties and struggles of the city and Jonathan explained to me that, despite the presence of racism and discrimination, people from New Orleans know how to celebrate, share and have fun together. No matter your race, your job, your sexual tendency, people have good times very often here, during events and festivals like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and dozens of food, art, music festivals. As far as he is concerned, Jonathan considers himself as a part of both Italian and American cultures.